Reynaldo "Ray" Portales

Reynaldo Portales passed away peacefully in his sleep on January 23, 2024. He was born in Franklin, Texas to Domingo Portales (birth name Manuel Hernandez) and Delfina Marquez Narvayez Portales on February 12, 1928.

“Ray” was hired in 1968 at Texas A&M University to feed the Aggies at Sbisa Dining Hall and retired from Texas A&M on January 31, 1991. He also worked at Penwalt for a few years.

As a young man, Ray moved to Bryan, Texas in search of a better life. Once settled he brought his parents and siblings to the area. He enjoyed playing baseball with the local LULAC Council 229 team as a pitcher. Ray loved going to dances at the LULAC and loved watching the Texas Rangers, Dallas Cowboys and Aggies. By the maroon and white color of his house, everyone knew he loved the Texas A&M Aggies. Ray touched many lives. He was a longtime parishioner at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Bryan.

Ray is preceded in death by his parents, Domingo and Delfina Portales; his siblings Daniel Portales (Domitila Orozco), Manuel Portales, Sr. (Simona Perales), Antonia (Domingo Martinez), Ofelia (Felipe Cerda), Delfina (Aurelio Escamilla Sr.), Florinda (Charlie Guerra); first wife, Carolina (Guerra) Portales, their two sons, Alfredo and Robert Portales and daughter, Evangelina Velasquez; Son in-law Moises Hernandez; and grandson, Andrew Christian Portales.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara Meschwitz; Sister in-law Domitila Orozco Portales, children from first marriage, daughters and son-in-law, Virginia Hernandez, Dora and Ralph Davila; sons and daughter-in-law, Sam and Lily Portales and Ray Portales, Jr.; stepchildren, Donna Jozwiak, Michael Jozwiak, Chris Jozwiak, Jesse Meschwitz; grandchildren Vincent Reyes, Randy Hernandez, Julian and Denise Luna, Ana Velasquez, Ralph Velasquez, Christina Velasquez, Bonnie Davila, Lisa Davila-Mendez, Robert and Kristin Portales, Jr., Thomas Michael and Christine Portales, Ciara Portales, Stephanie Portales, Amy and Robert McKnight, IV, Sam Joshua Portales, Marcus Santana Portales; step-grandchildren, George Edward, III; Christine Greider, Michael Anthony Jozwiak, Tyra Jozwiak, Kristin Jozwiak, and Christopher Jozwiak, Jr.; great-grandchildren, Jeremy Angel Reyes, Lourdes Alexandria Reyes, James Vincent Reyes, Michaela Angel Bernal, Jayden Luna, Robert Michael Portales, III., Kaiden Andrew Portales, Michael Caleb Portales, Yanna Grace Portales, Gabriel Cruz Mendez, Kamille Claire Mendez, Aiden Kain Roman, Averie McKnight, Jackson McKnight, Quinn McKnight, Jacob Joshua Portales and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Visitation will begin at 10:00 am Monday, January 29, 2024 at St. Anthony's Catholic Church. A rosary will be recited at 10:30 am followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 am. Interment will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery.

The family thanks Brazos Valley Hospice, St. Joseph Health Regional Hospital, and Baylor Scott and White Medical Center for their superb service, advice, and support.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.memorialfuneralchapel.com for the Portales family.