ANTONIO VICTOR VILLEGAS JR.

PHARR -- Antonio Victor Villegas Jr., age 96, passed away on Sunday, December 18, 2016 at his residence in Pharr. He was a life-long resident of Pharr and was a 1940 graduate of P.SJ.A. H.S. He was the son of Antonio & Celia Villegas. Upon his graduation from high school he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corp and served his country faithfully from 1941-45. He was assigned to the 49th Fighter Squadron as a Staff Sergeant and served our country during World War II with courage and honor in England, North Africa, and Italy. Upon returning from the war he met and married the love of his life Evangelina Lopez Villegas who preceded him in death this past year. He was the oldest of four siblings who preceded him in death, his brothers, Roberto & Carlos Villegas & sister, Mary Lou Gilpin. He was a member of St. Jude's Catholic Church, and a former member of the Knights of Columbus and Rotary Club. He enjoyed sports, history and politics having served the city of Pharr as a City Commissioner and Vice President of the PSJA Quarterback Club. Among his many passions, he was an avid football fan, history buff, and a writer that wrote various articles for the Pharr Advance and The Monitor newspapers. He retired as a state health inspector from the State Health Department after many years of outstanding service in the area of public health which resulted in an improved quality of life for many citizens of South Texas. Among his many accomplishments was the eradication of a rabies epidemic in Hidalgo County in the 1950's & 60's. He is survived by his daughters Sandra (Mario) Lopez, Yolanda (Gilbert) Gonzales, Lucille (Luis) Barrera, eight grandchildren; Roxanne Luna, Robert & Richard Lopez, Robin Gonzales, Oriana Knight, Sylvia Gonzalez, Marissa Gutierrez,&Monica Gri; and 14 great-grandchildren. The family wishes to thank his doctors Palimar, Robalino, & Espejo & his caregiver Aurelia Reyes and to HEB management, Ana & employees on Ridge Road in Pharr for their care and friendship. Visitation was held Tuesday, Dec. 20, at Aurora Funeral Home in Pharr, 706 W. Sam Houston from 4 to 9 p.m. with a rosary recited at 7 pm. The funeral mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, Dec. 21, at St. Jude’s Catholic Church in Pharr at 9:30 a.m. Interment with military honors will follow at the RGV State Veterans Cemetery in Mission. Pallbearers will be his grandsons Robert & Richard Lopez, his nephews Carlos & Dr. Robert Villegas & Charles Gilpin, & Bruno Gri. Services are entrusted to Aurora Funeral Home Sam Houston of Pharr.