Hector M. Zuniga

SMSgt Zuniga proudly served his country after enlisting in the United States Army during the Vietnam Campaign. After serving in the U.S. Army, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and retired after 27.5 years of dedicated service at Lackland Air Force Base. He received the Vietnam Medal, Vietnam Republic Campaign Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with 2 devices, Air Reserve Meritorious Service Medal with 7 devices, and the National Defense Service Medal, Air Force Training Ribbon, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon/Rifle, Air Force Longevity Service Award with 5 devices, Presidential Unit Citation, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.

Mr. Zuniga graduated from Sidney Lanier High School in 1965. Lanier High School produced many great basketball players and Hector was in that elite group. He broke the Lanier High School record for most points scored in one game (40) in 1965. Hector was a big part of the 1964 Basketball team that won District. In 1965, he was selected 1st Team All District and 2nd team All City.

Hector also won the Latin American State Championship in Houston, Texas in 1966.

A devoted member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Hector found joy in life's simple pleasures. He valued spending time with his beloved family and friends and lived a life filled with empathy, compassion and humility. Hector loved playing basketball and was a great fan of the San Antonio Spurs and Dallas Cowboys. He enjoyed listening to oldies and Motown music and loved to watch a wide array of movies.

Hector is preceded in death by his parents, Pedro Zuniga and Amelia Moreno Zuniga; paternal grandparents, Crispin Zuniga and Carmelita Quintero Zuniga; maternal grandparents, Lazaro Moreno and Guadalupe Moreno; brother, Pete Zuniga; brothers-in-law, John Leyva, Robert Leyva and Conrad Trevino.

He is survived by his loving wife of 40 years, Graciela Ortega Zuniga; daughter, Melissa Zuniga; son, Dr. Steven M. Zuniga; siblings, Raul (Emelie) Zuniga, Carmen Trevino and Sylvia (Steve) Garcia; sisters-in-law, Yovanna Leyva and Carmen Vasquez; as well as, numerous nieces and nephews.

The Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to Midnight on Tuesday,

August 4, 2026 at Funeraria Del Angel Trevino, 226 Cupples Rd.,San Antonio,TX 78237 with a Rosary to be recited at 7:00 p.m. The Procession will depart from the funeral home on Wednesday, August 5, 2026 at 8:45 a.m. for a 9:15 a.m. Mass of The Resurrection at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, 9883 Marbach Rd., San Antonio,TX 78245. Interment will follow in Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, 1520 Harry Wurzbach Rd., San Antonio,TX 78209 with Military Honors.

Fond memories and condolences may be shared at www.funerariadelangelcupples.com