LIONEL ALVA

McALLEN – Lionel Alva, 82, died Sunday, January 8, 2017, at McAllen Medical Center. Born in Weimar, TX, Lionel was a musician for over 70 years. Throughout his career, he played with many bands and was band leader of “Flamingo’s Combo”, “Son Tropical de Lionel Alva” and “Orquesta de Lionel Alva”, to name a few. In his later years, he enjoyed sharing his music with various schools, organizations and churches. He and his wife also ran a day care center from their home for over 25 years. “Raff”, as he was lovingly called, was a storyteller who loved to laugh and loved to make people laugh. He was a true animal lover and took in many stray dogs over the years. He was often seen driving around with his beloved “Hershey” riding shotgun. He wore many hats over the years: In the mid-50’s, he worked as a bus driver for the Bracero Program and later served as a police officer in Weslaco. Lionel owned and operated the Do Re Mi music store in McAllen and was a DJ for KIWW radio station in the late 70’s. He worked as a teacher’s aide at Central school with McAllen ISD and was proud to serve as a Scout Master for Pack 66 and Troop 66 of the Boy Scouts of America. Lionel was involved with the choirs at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Trinity Worship Center and Wings as Eagles church and served as the first Commander of VFW Post 8788 in McAllen. Lionel was very patriotic, was very proud to have served his country and proudly flew the American flag at his home. He is preceded in death by his wife, Dora P. Alva; an infant daughter, Anna Laura Alva; a son, Lionel Alva, Jr.; his parents, Pablo and Amelia Alva; and a brother, Miguel Alva of Houston. Mr. Alva is survived by his son, Eddie (Sylvia) Alva of San Antonio; two daughters, Sally (Pablo) Guerra of McAllen, Mari (Cande) Saenz of Pharr; a daughter-in-law Annette Alva of McAllen; seven grandchildren, Emelda (Bryan) Murphy, Evan and Erin Alva, Jacob and Molly Guerra, Robanne Williams and Bobby Hatcher; a great-grandson, Caleb Alva; and a sister in law, Mercedes Alva. The family would like to thank his caregiver Lupita Rojas, Dulce Esperanza Home Health and the doctors, nurses and staff at McAllen Medical Center ICU. Visitation was held from 5 to 9 p.m., with a 7 p.m. prayer service, Thursday, Jan. 12, 2017, at Memorial Funeral Home in San Juan. Funeral service took place at 10 a.m., Friday, Jan. 13, 2017, at Memorial Funeral Home Chapel. Interment followed at Valley Memorial Gardens in McAllen. Military honors were conducted by VFW Post 7473 of Elsa. Funeral services were under the direction of Memorial Funeral Home in San Juan.