Jose Armando Vega Sr.

1926-2017

Jose Armando Vega, age 91, passed away peacefully at the home of his eldest daughter Aida Vega Guajardo In Manvel, TX, surrounded by family on Sunday, November 19, 2017. He was born on March 23, 1926, in Monterrey, Mexico to Fidel Vega and Marcelina Puente. Armando was preceded in death by his wife of 48 years, Margarita Vega Ontiveros on November 7, 1995, and by his daughter Margarita "Margie" Carreon, on December 3, 2016. Also preceded in death his father Fidel Vega, his mother Marcelina Puente, brothers Fernando Vega, and Humberto Gonzalez.

He is survived by 7 children. Aida (Fernando) Guajardo; Armando "Pepe" Vega Jr of Costa Rica; Ignacio (Martha) Vega of Moraga, CA; Frank Vega (Aaron Girlinghouse); Ana (Noel) Lopez; Robert (Anne) Vega of Columbus, OH; David Vega; 19 grandchildren; 25 great grandchildren; Oscar (Rita Elia) Ontiveros, brother-in-law; Amparo Longoria vda de Ontiveros, Maria Teresa Gonzales vda de Ontiveros, Sara Llanas vda de Ontiveros, sister-in-laws. He also had many treasured nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.

He was a master carpenter for the majority of his life and emigrated to the United States to Houston in 1950. In his younger years in Mexico, he also played professional baseball for the Monterrey Sultanes. He sought to make a more prosperous life for his family and brought his 4 children in 1954 with his wife Margarita to create a new life in Houston. He would later have a total of 8 children in his family. He worked extremely hard all of his life to provide for his children so that they could one day lead fulfilled lives. In his ambition to integrate into American life, he taught himself to speak English by watching television and reading Readers Digest; as always, a determined man conquering challenges. He eventually created a successful building company, Vega Brothers Construction, with his wife Margarita by his side as the bookkeeper.

His life revolved around his devout faith and service to his Catholic church, first Holy Name Parish and then Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church. Armando and his late wife Margarita were founding members of the Cursillo Movement at Holy Name Church. He devoted his service to others by visiting the sick in hospitals, served on church ministry groups, and various other church organizations.

Visitation will be held at Crespo Funeral Home, 4136 Broadway St., Houston TX 77087, 713.644.3831 from Monday, November 27, 2017, 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM.

Mass on Tuesday, November 28, 2017 at 11:00 AM at Sacred Heart of Jesus, 6502 County Road 48, Manvel, TX 77578. Following mass, procession to burial: Southpark Cemetery, 1310 Main St., Pearland, TX 77581.

Published in Houston Chronicle on Nov. 24, 2017

Arrangements under the direction of Crespo Funeral Home - Broadway, HOUSTON, TX.