Ruben P. Tijerina, Sr., Age 84 of San Antonio, TX formerly of Kenedy, TX passed away April 23, 2026 peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family.Ruben was born on June 30, 1941 in Kenedy to the late Florencio Tijerina and Josefina Perez.  He married Beatrice Zepeda on August 31, 1959 in Kenedy who preceded him in death on January 30, 2020. Ruben was a devoted, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and of the Catholic Faith.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Florencio Tijerina and Josefina Perez, wife, Beatrice Zepeda Tijerina, son, Ruben Anthony Tijerina, Jr. and a grandson, Cody Ferguson.

He is survived by his children, Robert A. Tijerina, and wife Suzette of San Antonio, Missy Messmer and husband Tom of Fort Mohave, Randy A. Tijerina of San Antonio, sister, Irma Longoria and husband Richard of San Antonio, brother, Rene “Joe” Tijerina of Corpus Christi, grandchildren, Olivia I. Malone and husband Austin, Robert “Andres” Tijerina, II, J.M. Pollard, Randi Cunniff and husband Brandon, great-grandchildren, Avrie Pollard, Adonis Pollard, Isabella Cunniff and many extended family members and dear friends who will greatly miss Ruben.

Visitation will be Saturday, May 9, 2026 in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel with family viewing at 7:30 AM and public viewing from 8AM to 9AM with a Holy Rosary to be recited at 9:30 AM with the Celebration of Funeral Mass at 10AM at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church with the Rev. Robert Ploch officiating. Interment will follow in the Loma Alta Cemetery in Kenedy, TX.

Serving as Pallbearers will be Robert A. Tijerina, Robert “Andres” Tijerina, II, Randy A. Tijerina, Ralph Zepeda, Ray Zepeda, Michael Zepeda, Stephen Zepeda, and William Zepeda.

Henry Leon Aoueille’ Sr.

8/27/1931 – 4/18/2026

 

On April 18, 2026, Henry Leon Aoueille’ Sr. “H.L.” of Victoria, TX passed away peacefully with his wife of 70 years, his daughter and two sons all by his side.  He was 94.  H.L. was born to Ida (Caulfield) and Bernard Aoueille’ in Covington, LA in 1931.  When he was 9, the family, including his brother Benny and sister Gay, moved to Kenedy, TX where his father, “Coca” owned and operated the Kenedy Coca-Cola Bottling Company.

Upon graduating at 16 from Kenedy High School in 1948, H.L. began his illustrious college career at Southwest Texas State Teachers College in San Marcos, TX where he spent most of his time “studying” at Sewell Park. During the Korean Conflict and just before the draft board called his number, Dad joined the Air Force in February 1951.  The first week he spent in the Air Force was in a tent at Lackland AFB during one of the worst snowstorms in Texas history.  Some of his fondest memories were during his 4 years in the Air Force, especially when he was stationed at Mitchell AFB on Long Island, NY.  While there, he took courses through the University of Connecticut.  His next set of orders took him to Mineral Wells, TX where he took courses through TCU.

In December of 1954, his best friend, Billy Ray Tarver set him up on a blind date which led to Dad meeting the Love of his life, Gloria Hope Hughes.  They were married on September 2, 1955 and resided in Kenedy, TX. They had their first child, Andrea Hope Aoueille’, nine months and three weeks later.  Then five years later, Henry Leon Aoueille’ Jr. “Lee” was born.  Then, six years later and out of nowhere, a third child, John Hughes Aoueille’ was born.

After being Honorably discharged on Valentine’s Day 1955, Dad worked alongside his father, “Coca”, at Kenedy Coca – Cola Bottling Company.  They worked together building up the business for 20 years.  Dad spent a total of 31 years with Coca – Cola which was a big part of all our lives.  He retired at 55, one year after the family sold in 1986.  After a few years of buying/selling real estate with his close cousin, Fabian “Buddy” Summers, which really meant meeting for tea and coffee with friends, Dad began his second career with Beltone Hearing, now New Sound as an Audiologist.  He retired from New Sound in 2014 and turned 83 in the same week!  He loved what he did because he was able to meet a lot of new people his age and see so many old friends.  Dad was one that could always find a connection with new people, which is why he loved what he was doing so much!  In 2008, at 76, Dad was the New Sound top salesman and was awarded a trip to Alaska to fish for salmon and halibut.  He loved it but said it was taxing for an old man.

In Kenedy, Dad was a Jaycee, Rotarian, VFW member and Volunteer Fire Fighter.  Dad continued with Rotary in Victoria and was a Rotarian for 62 years where he met so many of his friends.  Mom and Dad were Paul Harris Fellows.  His proudest moments of being an audiologist came through Rotary when he and other Rotarians went to Brownsville where he would test, fit and give hearing aids to children in need.  He loved that part of his life because it matched perfectly with his kind and giving spirit.

Dad was a friend to so many, a mentor to some and a wonderful father to Andrea, Lee and John.  He was always concerned about others’ well-being.  He survived three bouts with cancer but was cancer free upon his death.

As she was holding his hand, Mom’s parting words to Dad on April 18^th were, “Thank you for 70 years; I don’t know who is going to tell me what to do now.  I love you…I love you.”

Dad was preceded in death by his mother “Grandmother” Ida, father, “Coca” Bernard and brother, Benny. Dad is survived by his wife of 70 years, Gloria Aoueille’, daughter Andrea Pullin (Russell), son Lee (Claudia) and son John (Chandra); seven grandchildren, Claire Aoueille’; Aaron and Cash Pullin; Keaton, Jackson, Connor and Mia Aoueille’; and five Great Grandchildren; Lena, Toby and Mary Emma Pullin and Henry and Scout Pullin.

Dad is also survived by his beautiful little sister, Gay Von Dohlen of Goliad, TX.

We want to thank all the staff at Sodalis, who loved Dad and were so kind to him.  We also want to thank Hospice of South Texas for being there and helping us through such a tough time.  We want to thank Dr. Nezhad for being so kind and thoughtful throughout the last 30 years of caring for our parents.

 

Visitation is on Friday May 15^th from 4:00pm to 6:00pm at First Presbyterian Church in Victoria; 2408 N Navarro St, Victoria, TX 77901

Interment will be on Saturday May 16^th at The Kenedy Cemetery in Kenedy; County Rd 329, Kenedy, TX 78119