SAN ANTONIO — God called Eloy Zarate, 84, home Sept. 13, 2018. A devoted husband to Clara for 61 years, and devout Roman Catholic his entire life, his health had declined for several months.
Born in Rio Grande City on Jan. 6, 1934, to Felicia and Federico Zarate, Eloy was the seventh of 10 children. A 1952 RGC High graduate, he enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1954 and proudly served until 1976. “Zeke” got his nickname in basic training, and it stuck for the rest of his life. Zeke loved studying history, and he participated in his share of memorable events, too. Army assignments included bone-chilling guard duty at the end of the Korean Conflict, a witness to nuclear bomb tests in the Pacific, service in West Germany, conducting intelligence investigations in and around Saigon, South Vietnam from 1967 to 1968. Zeke retired as a Chief Warrant Officer 2, then worked as a civilian at Fort Sam Houston until retirement in 2000. He married the love of his life in 1957. Zeke was an avid photographer and loved to sing, especially to Clara, songs he played on records and CDs. He was preceded in death by his parents, siblings Emilio, Elina, Nancy, Rene and Federico , and son Peter. Survivors: wife Clara; sons Mark and wife Beth, Eric and wife Christy, Lloyd John and wife Cynthia; and daughter Vicki Moseley and husband Bill; brothers Rene, Mario, Emilio, and sister Ita Arizola; grandchildren Rick, Elizabeth, Andrew, Ryan, Jamie, Georgia, and Cassie; and six great-grandchildren. The family also thanks the Franklin Park-Boerne staff for all the loving care provided to Eloy and Clara. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Alzheimer’s Association are encouraged.
A Funeral Mass will be held for Mr. Zarate Friday October 5, 2018 at St. Pius X in San Antonio, TX at 12pm followed by a procession to Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery for a Committal service with full Military honors at 1:30pm. The family wishes to extend an invitation for Reception and memory sharing from 2:30- 4:30 to be held at Sunset Funeral Home in the Hospitality Suite.
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