Fidel Raul Elizondo Jr.

Fidel was born in Laredo, TX, on June 21, 1945, to Fidel R. Elizondo, Sr. and Maria Adelfa Elizondo. He graduated from St. Augustine Catholic High School in 1964. He played varsity basketball and that year, led his team to a district championship. In August, 1966, Fidel volunteered and enlisted in the U.S. Navy. During his time in the Navy, he served as a Hospital Corpsman and fought in two back-to-back tours on the USS St. Francis River during the Vietnam War. He was released and honorably discharged from Active Duty service in May, 1970, but remained under Naval Reserve status until August, 1972. After serving in the Navy, Fidel moved to Houston, TX, and worked for Texas Children’s Hospital as a Cardiac Cath Lab Technician. In September, 1972, he married his longtime sweetheart and love, Edna Carmen Garcia. In the Spring of 1983, he graduated and received a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Technology from the University of Houston. He worked in plastics manufacturing until 2003, and then went on to pursue his passion in education and teaching. Fidel retired as a teacher in 2011 at Ridgegate Elementary School with the Fort Bend Independent School District. His personal passions were spending time with his loving wife and his two favorite girls, Darlene and Illene. He also enjoyed fishing, hunting at the Elizondo family ranch, shooting at the gun ranges, basketball, and spending time with his granddaughter, Kendall, who was his pride and joy. Fidel was known for his extreme kindness, his gentle heart and generosity to all. He will be immeasurably missed by his family and friends.

Fidel was an active member in many Veterans organizations: American Legion (Lifetime Member), VFW (Lifetime Member), and Disabled American Veterans (DAV). He was a parishioner with Holy Family Catholic Church and performed with the youth choir for a time.

Fidel was preceded in death by his brother, Ernesto A. Elizondo (July, 1989); his mother, Maria Adelfa Elizondo (February, 2012); and his father-in-law, Victor V. Garcia (July, 1972). He is survived by his loving wife of 42 years, Edna G. Elizondo; daughters, Darlene R. (Angus) Beaird, Illene R. (Jose) Alvarado; granddaughter, Kendall R. Beaird; father, Fidel R. Elizondo, Sr.; brother, Jorge J. (Norma) Elizondo; aunts, Adelina R. Villarreal and Delia R. Mejorada; mother-in-law, Hortencia G. Garcia; sister-in-law, Hortencia G. (Felipe) Sanchez; brother-in-law, Victor (Ana Maria) Garcia, sister-in-law, Alma L. (Jesus) Garza; sister-in-law, Idalia M. (Arturo) Ali, and many nephews and nieces who he shared special memories and loved very much.

Friends are invited to a visitation with the family from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM, Tuesday, May 27, 2014, at The Settegast-Kopf Co. @ Sugar Creek, 15015 Southwest Freeway, Sugar Land (Williams Trace Exit), with a Rosary to be recited at 7:00 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM, Wednesday, May 28, 2014, at Holy Family Catholic Church, 1510 Fifth St., Missouri City, Texas, with the Rev. Joy James, Celebrant. An additional service and The Rite of Committal will be held in Fidel’s hometown, Laredo, TX, under the direction of Hillside Funeral Home.

For those desiring, donations in Fidel’s memory may be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Texas.