Rafael Garcia Casanova Jr.

Growing up in the cities of Beeville, Pettus and Sinton, Texas, Rafael was given the nickname “El Colorao” for his distinct red hair and freckles which he always says he got teased about.

While in high school Rafael thought he’d become a farmer and was a member of the Pettus Future Farmers of America (FFA). Instead, he worked as both an oil roughneck and gas station attendant in Pettus before being drafted to the US Army in April 1968 and serving in the Vietnam War from September 1968 to August 1969. As a Sergeant in the US Army, Rafael earned the Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Silver Star, National Defense Medal, Army Commendation Medal with First Oak Leaf Cluster and Sharpshooter Badge-Rifle with Valor Device, Purple Heart and Combat Infantryman Badge. Upon being honorably discharged and happy to be home, Rafael soon started his career as a Machine Operator and Helper with both Southern Pacific and Union Pacific Railroads in 1970. During his 30 years with the railroad, Rafael traveled a lot and made many great friends that became family to him. Many only knew him by his last name “Casanova” and it was always funny when he would call home collect and the operator on the line would ask “no sir, your real name please” only to hear their surprise and apologize when his wife or daughters would respond by “yes, we accept the charges and hi Daddy!”

On October 26, 1973, Rafael married the love of his life, Diana. They settled down in Houston and had two daughters, Monica and Adriana. His family was the joy of his life. Adriana of Spring, Texas married Jose Noel Segura, Jr. and they have three sons, Jose Noel, III, Adrian Rafael and Sebastian. Those boys were the boys he never had. He was overjoyed to have grandsons to share his interests of sports and classic cars. Monica of Houston, Texas married Mario Martinez and they have a son, Rafael Rico and a daughter Luciana Rene and two step-daughters, Ashley and Adrianna. His namesake added to the joy of wanting boys as a father but his granddaughter Luciana stole his heart when she was born. Rafael was a loving, caring husband, father and grandfather.

After retiring from Union Pacific in 2001, Rafael enjoyed attending his grandchildren's’ school functions, baseball games, classic car shows and restoring classic cars. His hobbies were a family affair and all the grandkids enjoyed spending time with him at the car shows. He was also the oldest member of the Low Masters Car Club of Houston and loved showing off his 1956 Bel Air and frequented the Niftees 50ees Car Show. He was also a member of The Beeville Club.

Rafael is survived by his wife, Diana; his daughters Monica Martinez and her husband Mario, Adriana Segura and her husband Jose, grandchildren Jose Noel, III, Adrian Rafael, and Sebastian Segura, Rafael Rico Casanova and Luciana Rene Martinez; brothers, Ysidro (Adelaida) Arismendez, Jr., Jesus (Martha) Garcia and Noel (Diana) Barrera all of Beeville, Texas and three sisters, Hortencia (Gavino) Rodriguez of San Antonio, Texas, Petra (Lupe) Ruiz of Shamrock, Texas and Ramona Kelone of Marksville, Louisiana.

Pallbearers will be Noel Barrera, Jose Noel Segura, Jr., Jose Noel Segura, III, Adrian Rafael Segura, Sebastian Segura, Mario Martinez with Rafael Rico Casanova serving as an honorary pallbearer.