Roy R. Botello

Having moved to San Antonio as a child, he attended grade school and graduated from Burbank High School. As a young man, he took a job at Kelly Air Force Base (Duncan Field). WWII broke out and he was drafted into the Army Air Corps. He was shipped aboard the USS Mariposa across the Atlantic to Casablanca North Africa (30 day voyage) and assigned to the 8th Air Force. His next post was in Bari, Italy with the 15th Air Force. After the war in 1945, he married Benita Zalapa. He continued working at Kelly AFB during the Korean conflict until 1957. In the early 60s he completed studies at San Antonio College under the GI Bill.

He worked for the State Welfare Department and retired from there after 20 years of service. Because of his military background, he became involved with the American Red Cross (military servicemen assistance) and retired from there.

In the 60s he became involved with LULAC (League of United Latin American Citizens) and was chairman of the scholarship committee. He gained national notoriety with an 8mm film of President Kennedy at the Rice Hotel on November 21, 1963. This film is now archived at the Sixth Floor Museum, Dealey Plaza, in Dallas, Texas. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eiXJH2OlSbI

He continued his civic duties with his local neighborhood association and served as a volunteer with the San Antonio Parks and Recreation department. He facilitated improvements to his local neighborhood and especially to the Collins Garden Park.

He was a Ham Radio operator and a camera buff even in his later years. On December 4, 2014 his wife of 67 years passed away. He lived independently and comfortably in the house he built in 1954 until a few months before his passing.

He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers and his wife. He is survived by two brothers, Frank and Roger, and two sisters, Betty and Irene, three sisters in law, his son, Roy Alan, daughter in law Mary Ledesma Botello, two granddaughters, Angela Marie Botello and Jessica Michelle Biela (John), great grandson, John III, son, Mark Anthony (Rick Filline) and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

Recitation of the Holy Rosary will be held at Porter Loring Mortuary, 1101 McCullough, on Tuesday, December 13, 2016 at 7 pm. Mass of Resurrection will be at St. Henry Catholic Church, 1619 S. Flores on Wednesday, December 14, 2016 at 1 pm with burial to follow at Ft. Sam National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Red Cross.