CRISOFORO “CRIS” S. MALDONADO, SR.
SAN CARLOS - (May 4, 1934 - June 17, 2018)
It is with great sadness that the family of Crisoforo “Cris” Maldonado Sr. announces his passing, on June 17, 2018. He lived 84 years as a proud 5th generation Texan, cherishing his family, friends, community and church. In 1956, he answered his country’s call to draft duty by serving 2 years in U.S. Army Infantry Division as a Master Gunnery Sergeant after World War II and the Korean War, as part of the United States’ Military mission to assist the rebuilding of Europe.
Sergeant Maldonado served most of his tour in Germany and Spain, after returning from his tour of duty he continued his military career with the Texas Army National Guard until 1962. Before his duty oversees, he married his sweetheart, Braulia Vasquez from Edinburg. In their 60 years of marriage, they welcomed four loving children, Crisoforo Maldonado Jr., and Aleida Maldonado, both from Edinburg, and their two beloved sons; Carlos and Cristobal Sr. Maldonado. The family continues to flourish to date with 12 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild.
Crisoforo Maldonado will be fondly remembered for his dedicated work ethic to his business, C. Maldonado Dump Truck and Paving, which he operated for over 40 years of his life. He was also a faithful founding patron of St. Joseph the Worker Church since 1960, assisting with the transformation from a small rural chapel into a full scale Catholic Church to service the growing needs of the San Carlos community. His biggest pleasure was to watch “Wheel of Fortune”, since its debut in 1975, with family and grandchildren, often referring to the show as an educational, geographic, and historical learning experience for all generations.
He is preceded in death by: his loving wife Braulia V. Maldonado, two of his sons, Carlos and Cristobal Sr. Maldonado, his parents, Enrique Sr. and Baleria Salinas Maldonado, six brothers, Eilberto (Cresencia), Noe (Irene), Adan (Lydia), Rene (Beatrice), Reynaldo (Aida) Maldonado, and one sister, Celia Salinas Maldonado. He is survived by his brothers, Santos (Diorica), and Enrique Jr. (Margaret) Maldonado from Edinburg, TX.
The family will receive guests Wednesday, June 20, 2018, from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m., with a 7 p.m. Holy Rosary reading, at Memorial Funeral Home, located at 208 E. Canton in Edinburg. A funeral mass in his honor will take place Thursday, June 21, 2018, at 2 p.m. at St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church located at 8310 Highland Ave, in San Carlos, TX. Interment with full military honors will follow at Val Verde Memorial Gardens.
Honoring as Pallbearers will be his grandchildren, Richard Davila Jr., Jacoby Maldonado, Cristobal Maldonado Jr., Crisoforo Maldonado III, Vanessa Maldonado, and Santos Maldonado.
Military Honors will be conducted by VFW Post 7473 of Elsa.
Funeral services are under the direction of Memorial Funeral Home in Edinburg.