Vincent Vela

Vincent Vela was born on July 19, 1962 in Houston, Texas, to parents Manuel Antonio Resendez and Mary Louisa Arrizola-Ortega. A resident of Victoria, Texas, Vincent was a hard-working man who used his strong humble hands to build a foundation of love and strength for those he cared for. Disciplined and determined, Vincent experiences instilled a work ethic in him that he sought to pass onto the next generation. He was a calm firm teacher of life lessons, who taught his children that if you want something you have to work for it. Family and friends remember him as a kind-hearted, friendly man, forever young, cracking jokes and always ready to help anyone in need, despite his intimidating looks. But it was his giving, playful personality, and his dancing, for which he will be remembered most. \

Vincent, 51, took his last breath on January 11, 2014 surrounded by the love of his family, after battling a short illness. He is survived by his four children, Felecia M. Vela, Bianca C. Precise and her husband Kenneth “Pepito” Precise, Abner Alexandro Salazar and Vincent Antonio Vela and his four grandchildren Tren D’andre Wallace, A’nasia Aubrinae Wallace, True E’manuel Wallace and Lilyana Kay Precise, all of Victoria, Texas; spouse, Maria Salazar of Victoria, Texas; his six sisters, Elizabeth Lane, married to Randy Lane, of Missouri, Texas; Hopie Hopkins, married to Mark Hopkins, of Houston, Texas; Rosalinda Resendez of Rosenberg, Texas; Mercy Uresti, married to Alfonso Uresti III, Theresa Vela and Cynthia Cruz, married to Joe Cruz, all of Victoria, Texas; his two brothers Ray Ortega, married to Olga Ortega and Luis Emanuel Resendez, all of Victoria, Texas, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Vincent was also preceded in death by his daughter, Valerie Vela and brother, Ronnie “Big Bo” Ortega.

Visitation will be held at Colonial Funeral Home beginning at 5 pm on Wednesday January 15, followed by a rosary at 7 pm. The funeral will be held Thursday, January 16 at 1:00 pm at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic church. Burial will immediately follow at Resurrection Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Luis Resendez, Alfonso Uresti III, Kenneth “Pepito’ Precise, Abner Alexander Salazar, Ray Ortega, Danny Deleo, Johnny Hernandez, Joe Cruz.

Honorary pallbearers will be Artari Wallace and nephews Arik Uresti, Sammy Ray Lusk III, Isael Angel Lopez, Alexander Lopez, Cody Norfleet, Jeremy Resendez, Luis Resendez, Manuel Resendez, Ray Ortega Jr. and Roland Ortega.

Many depended on this man and looked to him for guidance. We are truly grateful the Lord gave him enough patience and courage to be our rock. We are left with a calming rock-n-roll rhythm in our hearts and the beat goes on. ‘Vinnie got plenty!’

Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.colonialfuneralhomevictoria.com.