Reynaldo Rogelio Abrego

Reynaldo was born in Cotulla, TX to Trinidad Abrego, Jr. and Blanca Moreno Abrego on January 17, 1945. Rey, as he was affectionately known to most, went to Thomas A. Edison High School in San Antonio Texas. Rey left high school at the age of 17 to enlist in the U.S. Navy. He received his GED in the military but was not satisfied with this achievement and proceeded to attended San Diego Evening High School for his high school diploma.

Rey spent three tours in heavy combat in Vietnam, where during his work and missions, he came into contact with Agent Orange, which later in his life was a cause of the battle he fought with cancer. He took courses at Florida University but trained diligently in the U.S. Airforce as an aircraft mechanic after transferring from the Navy. He was always proud to say that he was a 30-year military man, four years in the Navy, and 26 years in the Airforce. He took shrapnel in his right hand and was shot in his left leg. After recovering from his injuries, his next assignment was to be in charge as Sergeant of 150 men in the Turkey Cypress War. Then he was sent to Panama as Division Chief Superintendent of Aircraft, Air Frame, and Helicopter School, where he trained military students, in Spanish from 26 South American Countries. He was very well known as “El Jefe” among his subordinates and students at this time.

In his spare time, he volunteered to teach English to 0, 1st and 2nd graders in an all girls’ academy. Rey said that he had no regrets about his service in the Airforce. He was thankful to the military for teaching him how to read, write, work with numbers (his favorite) and for being able to utilize this training in his Quarter Master duties. He was so proud of earning the title of Toastmaster as his father had done in the past. He prided himself in the opportunities that he was given to speak for distinguished groups, while in the military. He even had to deliver a speech without notes, in Spanish to a large group of dignitaries in the military, while in Panama, and managed to do so successfully.

Reynaldo is preceded in death by his father, mother and two brothers: Adrian (Frieda Marie) and Richard (Trinidad Gonzales), his baby sister Blanca Linda, and Nephew Michael Abrego.

Rey is survived by his brothers: Diego (Barbara Gene Walker), Rene (Leanne Wentworth), Hipolito, and Victor (Bianca Arcos). Reynaldo had no children, but he did have loving nieces and nephews, who often visited with "Uncle Rey" and loved to hear stories of his time in the military and stories of our family in Cotulla. It was always a joy to visit with Uncle Rey, and in our visits and conversations, you would never get the impression that he was in a fight, but that he was. He fought his battle, finished his race, and kept his faith.

He was proud of the Abrego family and was an inspiration to succeeding generations of Abregos here now, as well as those to come.

Pallbearers will be: Aaron Abrego, David R. Abrego, Jr., David R. Abrego, III, John Matthew Abrego, Brandon Segura, and Paul Segura.

Visitation will be at 5 to 9 pm on June 3, 2025. Rosary at 7 pm at the Sunset Memorial Park and Funeral Home, located at 1701 Austin Highway, San Antonio, TX 78218.

Funeral Mass will be at 10 am on June 4, 2025, at St. Helena’s Church, located at 14714 Edgemont St., San Antonio, TX 78247.

Burial procession will follow to Ft. Sam Houston Shelter 3, at 1520 Harry Wurzbach Rd., San Antonio, TX 78209.

Please arrive 15 minutes earlier. Burial will be at 11:30 am.

There will be a reception with the family and guests at the Sunset Memorial Park and Funeral Home, from 12:30 -2pm, immediately following the interment services.