George Veracruz

George was born in Marlin, Texas, to Jose Maria Veracruz and Consuelo "Gladys" Frayre, and graduated from Lott High School. He proudly served over 20 years in the United States Air Force, including several tours in Vietnam and assignments in Singapore, Guam, and Newfoundland. After retiring from the military, he continued serving his country for over 10 years with the Department of Defense. Along the way, he and his family called many places home: Germany, England, Arkansas, Louisiana, California, Arizona, and Texas.

George was happiest in motion and among people. He played sports, officiated basketball, umpired softball, and coached his daughters' softball teams. He taught his girls to bowl, played catch with them in the yard, chaperoned school field trips to Barcelona, Spain, and throughout Germany, and took the family on German Volksmarches. He was competitive at bowling, pool, darts, and ping pong, and he kept playing ping pong with his daughter Belinda, along with working out at the senior center, well into his later years.

He loved a good mechanical challenge, whether reviving a small engine or bringing an old-fashioned telephone back to life. Family game nights of rummy, Uno, and Scattergories were never short on laughs. He also loved a good meal at Pappasito's with the people he cared about, and country music from George Strait to George Jones.

At the heart of George's life was his marriage to Ruth. Over 30 years together, they shared countless games of cribbage and cards and peaceful days at their cabin on Canyon Lake, watching the deer wander by. Nothing made him happier than time with Ruth, his daughters, and his grandchildren. He found great joy in being part of their lives, cheering them on day to day and simply being there.

In his later years, George faced health challenges with a thankful heart. He was often found reading his Bible, and he shared his faith and love for the Lord openly, especially with his daughters.

George was preceded in death by his parents, Jose and Consuelo Veracruz; his siblings, John Veracruz, Ray Veracruz, Minnie Veracruz, and Josephine Hernandez; and his brother-in-law, Mathew Hernandez.

He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Ruth Veracruz; his daughters, Barbara Rose, Belinda Brown, and Brenda Downs; his grandchildren, Brittany Teeter, Andrew Gyke, Jordyn Pfenning, Brandon Smith, James Perrin, Tyler Brown, Mya Brown, and Chloe Rose; his great-grandchildren, Cayden Gyke, Oliver Pfenning, and Augustus Pfenning; his sister, Margaret Fuentes; his nieces and nephews, Steve and Rudy Hernandez, Skipper Veracruz, and Denise Fuentes; and his lifelong family friend, Raymond Saldana.

George will be remembered as a man of integrity who led by example, a good provider, a role model, and a loving father who raised three strong, confident, caring, and thoughtful daughters. He was a wonderful listener who loved hearing his youngest daughter's stories about her daily adventures.

As George Strait sang, this is where the cowboy rides away. George has ridden on ahead, and we'll meet again on the other side. "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith." (2 Timothy 4:7)

A Funeral Service will be held at Crossroads Baptist Church, 8300 Tezel Road, San Antonio, Texas 78254, on November 18, 2026, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am with Pastor Doug Diehl (Brother Doug) officiating.

A Celebration of Life Reception will take place at Crossroads Baptist Church, 8300 Tezel Road, San Antonio, Texas 78254, on November 18, 2026, beginning at 11:00 am.

A Committal Service will be held at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, Shelter #3, 1520 Harry Wurzbach Road, San Antonio, Texas 78209, on November 18, 2026, from 1:45 pm to 2:15 pm.