Crispin Villarreal Jr.

Crispin Villarreal Jr, age 86, died on Friday, July 19, 2024 at his home. Crispin was born in Edcouch, Texas to Crispin Villarreal and Olivia Flores Villarreal on February 25, 1938. He was preceded in death by his parents and his daughters Ernestine and Melissa Michelle.

The family relocated to Austin and Crispin attended Austin High and graduated in 1957. Crispin was proud to have served his country in the United States Air Force at Bergstrom Air Force Base as an Air Policeman. After discharge, he worked at Camp Gary in San Marcos as a Deputy U.S. Marshall with Gary Job Corps. From there, he began employment as a Deputy Sheriff with the Travis County Sheriff’s Department and was later promoted to Investigator. Along with his wife, he also owned and operated several small businesses during the eighties and nineties.

In the seventies, Crispin and his wife were very involved in local politics and his participation helped to pave the way for minorities to serve in public office including the election of one of his children to the Austin ISD Board of Trustees. Crispin was very supportive of his children through his involvement with the University Hills Optimist Club and Reznicek Field, serving as a member, a kickball board member, soccer coach, and an umpire, and volunteering with the Delwood Optimist Club at Bartholomew Park football and baseball programs. He also served as a BSA Den Leader for his oldest son’s Cub Scout den. He was a proud supporter of the Reagan Raiders as his children all graduated from Reagan High School. Crispin was an active member and deacon of Skyview Baptist Church until its closure in 2021.

Crispin’s support also extended to all of his grandchildren. He could be found cheering them on at football games, including the halftime shows, baseball, basketball and soccer games, wrestling matches, band and choir concerts, theater performances, award ceremonies and graduations.

Chris is survived by his wife of sixty-four years Frances; his children, Christine Brister and her husband Sam, Crispin Villarreal III, Melinda Villarreal, Virgil Villarreal and his wife Lucy, Tilly Crosby and her husband Burke, Steven Villarreal and his wife Sherri, his sister, Janie Villarreal Hernandez, and his brother, Guadalupe Villarreal. He is also survived by his twenty grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren, and a new great-grandchild that is expected in September.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to Meals on Wheels, the Capital Area Food Bank or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.