Ildefonso Montelongo Sr., age 74, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 08, 2019 in Houston, Texas. He was surrounded by family and friends. He was born on January 23, 1945 in Municipio de Matamoros to Ricardo Montelongo and Gregoria Becerra de Montelongo. He married Dolores Charles, affectionately known as Cele on December 26, 1968.
During the span of his working career, he held several jobs ranking from agriculture on the fields of Mexico to migrant work picking tomatoes, cherries, and oranges all over the United States. He worked on the US roads for Brown and Root. He retired from Furr High School in 1995, where he was the Plant Operator for 17 years. He was a beloved son, husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend. Preceded in death by his parents Ricardo and Gregoria Montelongo and brother Jose Alfredo Montelongo. He is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Dolores, his daughters: Rosa, Laura, Gloria and son Ildefonso Jr. and his wife Gina. As well as his 5 grandchildren: Victor, Kaylee, Julian, Arian, and Madelynn. His surviving brothers are Reynaldo and Sabas Montelongo and sisters: Maria de Jesus Rangel, Lorenza Castañon, Alicia Rodriguez, Evangelina Garcia, and Maria Teresa Briones and numerous nieces and nephews.
“Poncho” as he is fondly known by many is mostly remembered for his wonderful sense of humor and his kind and giving heart. He loved food and always made sure that everyone was well fed. Always a hard worker and endless provider for his family. He instilled in his children a strong sense of work ethic, the value of a good education, respect for all mankind, unwavering family unity, but most of all he left a legacy of love with a little joke mixed in here and there. Thus “Poncho” invokes the image of a sweet, gentle smile and warm feeling touching the lives of many with his selfless and golden heart.
Visitation hours are on Thursday, May 16, 2019 from 2:00 pm – 10:30 pm at Funeraria Del Angel Funeral home located at Navigation with Rosary scheduled for 7:00 pm. Farewell mass will be held on Friday, May 17, 2019 at 10:30 am at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church located at 4015 Sherman, Houston, Texas 77003 followed by burial at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery located at 6900 Lawndale St., Houston, Texas 77023.
