Piedad Gabriel Lara

Piedad Gabriel Lara, age 85, from Elsa, Texas, was called to be with the Lord on March 31st, 2025. He was born on March 16th, 1940, in Noria de Juan Vasquez in Guanajuato, Mexico to Eustacio Lara and Paula Calixto Lara.

Piedad first came to the United States in July 1960, lived in Hargill, Texas and began working at a dairy farm. He would later work as a migrant farm worker for several years doing seasonal work throughout much of the country. Through night classes, Piedad was able to learn English, then take a position working for the Lawler family on their farm in Mercedes, Texas. A very loyal and hard-working man, he would work with the Lawler family for the next 37 years and come to be considered part of their family. Piedad raised a family with his wife, Gabina, in Elsa where he enjoyed large family gatherings and celebrations of all kinds, countless hours working in his yard, and watching any Texas Ranger game he could find.

His family were always amazed at his handiwork and how he demonstrated extreme patience and craft in getting projects completed around his house. He was our very own MacGyver! He spent countless hours meticulously taking things apart and putting them back together. Piedad had nearly any fastener, washer or bolt you could possibly need to fix anything, refusing to throw out any hardware that he could potentially use later. He took pride in his carpentry, lawn equipment, birds, rose garden and landscape, using nearly anything he could think of to make things nice for his wife’s garden.

He absolutely loved visiting his family in Mexico whenever possible. He truly cherished his time with family there and wished he could gather with them more often. His children enjoyed hearing stories about his early years in Mexico. Piedad cultivated many friendships and was truly a blessing to all who had the pleasure of knowing him.

Piedad and Gabina celebrated 60 years of marriage this past February. They have five children and 11 grandchildren. His family was truly his pride and joy. He cherished the time he spent with his sons, daughters and grandchildren and seeing them grow and succeed in all aspects of their lives. He had nine siblings and many nieces and nephews which made for large, joyful family gatherings.

Piedad is survived by wife, Gabina Lara, and children Gabriel (Belinda) Lara, Gustavo (Lorraine) Lara, Gaston (Kimberly) Lara, Galilea (John) Ozuna, and Gloria (Victor) Barbosa. He is survived by siblings Patricia Cortez, Alfredo Lara, Julian Lara, Berta Lara Ybarra, Ramiro Lara, Justina Lara-Hernandez, and Delia L. Mireles, and his grandchildren Eustacio Lara, Gabrielle Lara, Maya Lara, Nathan Lara, Corina Ozuna, Hector Ozuna, Christian Ozuna, Marina Barbosa, Xavier Barbosa, James Lara and Andrew Lara.

He is preceded in death by his parents Eustacio Lara and Paula Calixto Lara and siblings Francisco Lara and Mac Lara.