Rogelio P. Vasquez

Rogelio P. Vasquez was born to Ramon Vasquez and Maria Pinedo on September 22, 1938 in Cohaila, Mexico. He was one of eleven children, 6 boys (Martin Vasquez(+), Jose Jesus Vasquez, Andres Vasquez(+), Pedro Vasquez, and Carlos Vasquez(+), and 5 girls (Juanita Hernandez Vasquez (+), Consuelo Gonzalez Vasquez (+), Santa Perez Vasquez, Rosaura Lozano Vasquez, and Juanita Garcia Vasquez (+)) and number 7 with 6 siblings older and 4 younger.

Our father was first a son – a good son – who helped his mother raise his younger siblings while putting his life on hold to make sure they were taken care of. This meant that he had to give up his dream of being in the Air Force, but he never said he regretted this or complained about it. He used to tell this story and how his mother would cry because she was sorry that he would not pursue his dream and that he would tell her not to cry because he wanted to help her and be with her and the family. He did not want her to be upset about this and when he told this story he often cried because his mother had cried for him.

Our father was then a brother – a good brother – to his 10 siblings. He loved, protected and looked over the younger siblings and always loved and respected his older siblings. His wish was always for everyone to be together and happy. During the early years most of the siblings were together in Dallas and life was happy. There are many, many nieces and nephews, many of which grew up with him more like siblings or some that he even helped raise. He loved all of his nieces and nephews very much. Our father was also an Uncle – a good uncle -“Uncle Roy”.

In 1964 our father met who would become the first love of his life and soul mate. He and our mother, Felipa Estrada Ortiz, were married on August 16, 1969 and he now became a husband – a good husband. Our parents have been together for 47 years, 42 married and best friends. They were a few months short of 43. Our father loved being a husband and lived to provide for his family. He became a professional driver – a good driver – and always a dedicated, hard worker. This was his career for 35 years. He was a business owner/self employed as he liked to do things “his way”. He had the privilege of traveling throughout the United States as part of his career. He loved to drive.

On September 1, 1971, he then became a father – a good father – when his daughter, Alma Delia Vasquez, and one of the other loves of his life was born. Our father was blessed again on May 8, 1973, when his son, Jesus Alberto Vasquez, and yet another love of his life, was born to a proud father. Our parents gave us a very happy childhood. We had their love and support always and thus the reason for our successes in life. We are what we are today because of this. Our father taught us many lessons in life by his example. We learned to be noble and kind and to always help anyone who may be in need or who simply asks for it if we can. He was always willing to share and truly had a golden heart. Our father was more than our mentor, as we grew up, we became great friends and always looked forward to our time together. Our father was a good friend.

Our father then became an in law- a good father in law- to Ruben Gonzales on May 4, 1996 when he married his little girl. He & Ruben grew to love and respect each other very much through the years and they became great friends. Ruben thought of our father as his own. Our father was his greatest cheerleader and advisor as he needed this through the years. He loved Ruben very much and was very proud of him. The honor was placed on him again on September 4, 2004 when Jennifer Burkart married his little boy. They also had a mutual love and respect for each other through the years. He also loved Jennifer very much and tried to help and advise as much as he could.

The last two loves of our fathers life came on April 14, 2000 and December 7, 2003 when he played his last and most beloved role as a grandfather – a good grandfather. Erin Celeste Gonzales and Jonathon Roy Gonzales were his “babies”. Jonathon was named in his honor as a sign of our love and respect. He beamed with pride as he spoke of them and he did this often. He loved to buy them things to see the smile on their face as he presented it to them, something that we remember from him from our own childhood.

Our father was a giving man. He was a proud man. He was a man who was loved by many and who loved to make friends. He was a man who loved life. Loved to dance and have fun. Loved Las Vegas and playing his video poker. Loved to travel and see and learn new things. He loved to read. He loved a challenge. He lived for his family. Loved His Feli and His babies. He fought hard to stay a little longer and on his last day said to the loves of his life/children that he was sorry he had to go. He had lost this battle. Our father was a brave man. He went out fighting, but in the end God wanted him with Him. We don’t blame Him. We are thankful and feel blessed that we had him in our lives for the short time he was with us.

Our father was a good man.