Philip Maldonado

Philip Felipe 'Phil' Maldonado, age 85, a man whose love for people was as big as his smile, passed away peacefully Wednesday, February 23, 2005 at Gracy Woods I Campus of Care in Austin, Texas, following a twenty year battle with diabetes and, more recently, the onset of Alzheimer's disease.

He was born August 23, 1919 to Felipe Maldonado Cantu and Maria Maldonado Pacheco in Allende, Coahuila, Mexico.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Irene M. Maldonado Lozano, his brothers, Raul 'Raulito' Maldonado, Charles Maldonado, and Melecio ' Bob' Maldonado, his sisters, Maria 'Mary' Gracia, Ursula 'Lula' Garza, Angelina 'Angie' Machado, Josefa ' Josie' DeWalt, and Julia Ledezma.

He is survived by his children Carolyn Angela Weber and her husband Steve, Front Royal, Va. and Hilbert Roland Maldonado and his wife Lucille, Austin, Texas. Carolyn has two children: Valerie Burke and her husband, Brian, Dunn Loring, Virginia; and, Jennifer Landis, Phoenix, Arizona. Hilbert has four children: Phillip Roland Maldonado and his wife Socorro, Pflugerville, Texas, Christina Angela Maldonado, Pflugerville, Texas, Charles Gregory Maldonado and his wife Sandra, Austin, Texas; and, Kimberley Ninnette Rivera and her husband Ralph, Pflugerville, Texas. Phil also is survived by nine great-grandchildren.

When Phil was still an infant, The Maldonado Family moved to 214 Parker Ave., their homestead even today, in San Antonio, Texas where he lived until September, 2003. He attended public schools culminating his education at Fox Tech Vocational High School.

After service with the U.S. Air Corp during World War II, Phil began his illustrious career as an apprentice jeweler under the tutelage and mentorship of his much-respected brother-in-law, Jose Ledezma--a fine jeweler in his own right--, in the 'old' Aztec Building. He soon opened his own business on the 5th floor of the Bedell Building and thus began a 55 year career in downtown San Antonio as Maldonado Jewelry, Inc.. His first front-store shop was located at 147 So. Broadway

214 Losoya St. right across the street from The Senate Bar; but, he finished his career, retiring in December of 1998, at 215 Alamo Plaza, directly across the street from The Alamo, where his roof-top store sign still stands to this day.

Phil, a consummate professional, tediously created and hand-crafted beautiful and unique works of art as he honed his skills to become one of the most prominent manufacturing jewelers in central Texas. Phil balked at the notion of working with anything else but fine precious metals and genuine-quality precious stones thus integrating the phrase ' fine jewelry and precious stones' into his everyday works. Phil prided himself with the fact that among his customers were professional athletes, dignitaries, and the 'Who's Who' of not only the old S.A. political/social guard, but also of the state and national scene.

Throughout his life Phil enjoyed sports, the outdoors, the camaraderie of hunting, fishing, horse-back riding and particularly golf. He was president and international president of the S.A. Charro Association and he also was a team riding member who directly participated in their Charreada competitions. He was a member of the Mexican International Golf Association, the Lion's Club, and a life-long member of the Elks Club.

The Maldonado Family would like to thank the staff of the Gracy Woods I Campus of Care, Ms. Lily Perkins, director, for the tender care offered to Felipe in his last 18 months; and, a very special thanks to our friends and family whom expressed their love, prayers, and comfort during these most difficult of times.