Roel Canales

Roel Canales, devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Thursday, October 28, 2021. “Your labor is done; your home now is heaven; no more must you wait. Your legacy lives on, your love of the land, and yes Dad – we will close the gate.”

Cayetano Roel was born on June 30, 1931 in Benavides, TX to Cayetano Tomas (C.T.) and Rosa Morales Canales. He served in the Korean War from 1949 to 1951 as a Corporal in the U.S. Army. On August 7, 1955, he married the love of his life, Dora Mae Couling. They moved to Corpus Christi, TX where they made a loving home together with their six children. After working 35 years as a civil servant at Corpus Christi Army Depot, Roel retired as a Lead Machinist. A couple of years after retirement, Roel and Dora moved back home to Benavides so he could pursue his first passion, working on his ranch.

Roel had a love for ranching and sports. Every free moment he had, he treasured being at his ranch. He could spend hours just walking or riding around the property in his truck, tractor, bulldozer or “mule” and invited anyone to join him along for the ride. He was always looking for something he could do or improve on his ranch. He loved watching his Dallas Cowboys, Houston Astros and San Antonio Spurs but what gave him the most pleasure was watching his children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews participate in sports. He enjoyed going on road trips to watch the games of his nieces and nephews’ children. As his own children were growing up, he volunteered to coach several of their basketball and baseball teams. Over the years he seemed to “adopt” many of his children’s friends as his own and maintained strong bonds throughout their lives. Many of these family friends could feel the genuine love he had for them as he considered them part of his own family. Roel will forever be remembered for his quick wit, infectious smile, joke telling and being the ultimate provider for his family. He always loved lending a helping hand to his family, compadres and friends in whatever way he could. He leaves behind a huge hole in the hearts of his family and friends who were always entertained by his jokes and hilarious sense of humor. He and his sisters were truly “the life to the party”. We will miss him more than words can say.

Roel is preceded in death by his parents; his sisters Emma Pena, Rose Elizondo and Mariana Canales and son-in-law Jimmy Milner. He is survived by his wife, Dora Mae; his six children, Cindy Guzman (Carlos), Carlos Canales, Nora Milner, Danny Canales, Paul Canales (Dana) and Rosie Ortiz (Jason); his grandchildren Kristina, Shannon, Dallas, Misty, Andrea, Amanda, April, Wendy, Rebecca, Grace, Michael, Matthew, Blake, Madison, Taylor, Sydney, and Ava Rose; his sister, Alma Canales; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

The family would like to say thank you to all the providers who have helped care for Roel over the past year, especially Yvonne, Rocio, and Alicia. Thank you ladies, for the loving attention you so graciously and compassionately provided concerning all his medical needs. We would especially like to thank our wonderful sister, Rosie Ortiz, for overseeing the care of our dad over the past 4 years. You rolled up your sleeves and personally took on the care for him this past year without any hesitation and ensured he got the loving care he deserved. Words can never express our gratitude for all you and your family have done.

To our dad, as he would always say, “See you later alligator, but not too soon baboon!”

All services will be held at Memory Gardens Funeral Home at 8200 Old Brownsville Road in Corpus Christi, TX. Visitation will be held Thursday, November 18th from 4:00 PM to 7:30 PM which will include a family led rosary at 6:30 PM. Services will take place on Friday, November 19th from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM followed by a military committal service at the Coastal Bend State Veterans Cemetery at 9974 Interstate 37 in Corpus Christi, TX.

Pallbearers will be John Woods, Sonny Trevino, Manuel Molina, Tom De Los Santos, Tom Pena, Michael Hastings and honorary pallbearer Adolfo Trevino.

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