Mr. Carlos Lara Gonzalez

Carlos Lara Gonzalez was born on September 6, 1934, in Linares, Nuevo Leon, and made his journey to heaven on Saturday, November 7, 2015 in the comfort of our family home. As a child living on his family’s ranch in Linares, our father dreamed of a brighter future and of one day traveling the world he only read and heard about. His dream began after he married our mother, Tayde Moral and left Monterrey to bring his young family to live in Houston, Texas – the home of his favorite baseball team, the Houston Astros, and the eighth wonder of the world - the Houston Astrodome.

Our father came from very humble beginnings and left school at a very young age to work in the field. And although he only completed his 3rd grade education, he loved to read and learn about a variety of subjects. He always dreamed of traveling, but thought it was not possible. He learned the trade to become an automotive mechanic in Mexico which allowed him to immigrate to this country in 1969. Eventually, he brought our whole family with the goal to provide a better life for his family and a formal education to us. He was a dedicated worker and he modeled a strong work ethic, integrity and moral values.

Not long after our arrival in Houston, his passion for the game of baseball encouraged him to volunteer his time over many years as a coach with Magnolia Little League, where he shared his knowledge of the game with kids. He always enjoyed speaking to his former players years later and catching up to learn about their families and lives.

In 1996 he retired and began to fulfill his dream of travel. Our father made his first overseas trip to Rome, Italy, where he and our mother got a chance to touch St. John Paul II in Vatican City. A few years later, he and our mom traveled to the Holy Land where they renewed their marriage vows in Cana of the Galilee, Israel. For a boy on a ranch who dreamed of one day seeing the world, his life also included travels to Spain, Portugal, throughout Mexico and the U.S., from coast to coast. His last travel destination was in August 2015 to San Francisco, CA, a city he longed to visit and thoroughly enjoyed.

He enjoyed watching professional baseball especially the Houston Astros, traveling, talking to and advising his children, fishing, cooking, eating foods from different cultures and watching his plants and fruit trees flourish and produce around our family home.

Our father was an amazing husband, father, grandfather, great-great grandfather, and dear friend with a kind heart. He and our mom of 56 years, raised our family with love and instilled the values of hard work and obtaining an education, which led his children to professional lives, of which he was very proud - almost as proud as we are of him. He touched many lives and left a lasting, positive influence during his 81 years on earth.

We celebrate his life today and always.

Matthew 25 v21: His master said to him, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master’s joy.’

Survived by wife Tayde Lara, children Juan Tomas, Hortencia Lara Barton (Douglas), Carlos A. Lara, Julio F. Lara, Cristina Lara Castro (Ralph) and German Lara, grandchildren Juan Carlos Castro (Summer), Erica Castro, Mitchell Barton, Jared Barton, Summer Lara, Rio Lara and Tristan Lara, and great-granddaughter Aubree Castro. Visitation will be held on Tuesday November 10, at Crespo Funeral Home Navigation Chapel from 5pm – 9 pm, with a Rosary to be recited at 7pm that evening, and also on Wednesday, November 11, from 9 – 11:15 am. Funeral procession will depart at 11:15 am, for a Noon mass at Immaculate Heart of Mary. Interment to follow the mass at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery.

Arrangements under the direction of Crespo FH - Navigation, HOUSTON, TX.