REYES R. VELA
Tue, 2016-08-09 22:57
News Staff
PHARR – Reyes R. Vela died on Wednesday, August 3rd, 2016 at the age of 77 years. Born on April 13, 1939 in Pharr, Texas he resided in Pharr for 73 years of his life with brief periods of time in Los Fresnos and Edinburg, Texas. He is preceded in death by his parents, Jesus and Porfiria Vela, and sisters Anastacia (Vela) Gonzalez and Celia (Vela) Delgado. He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Anita (de Leon) Vela, children, Mario (Marisa) Vela of McAllen, Jaime (Yvonne) Vela of Pharr, Luzita Vela (Jamie Ebersole) of Dallas, and Marianita Vela (Sammy Jackson) of Dallas. Also surviving are seven siblings, Bridgette Vela, Gilberto Vela, Emilio Vela, Maria (Vela) Salazar, Guadalupe (Vela) Alvarado, Carlos Vela, and Jesus Vela Jr. and 12 grandchildren, Andrea, Cristian, Julian, Joel, Clara, Daniel, Thomas, Matthew, Maria, Joaquin, Grace and Gael. Reyes was a graduate of PSJA and Pan American College. Early in his career he served as a teacher and coach for Los Fresnos ISD and McAllen ISD. He spent most of his career working for the City of Pharr and PSJA ISD in various administrative capacities. He initiated the City of Pharr Parks and Recreation Program, then served as Pharr’s first Hispanic City Manager. Prior to his retirement, Reyes also worked as a director of the Pharr Economic Development Corporation. During his time with PSJA ISD Reyes was the Purchasing Director, Risk Manager, and Personnel Director. He was involved in service to the community and volunteered in organizations including the Pharr Rotary Club, Pharr Chamber of Commerce, Pharr Economic Development Corporation Board, Texas A&M Regional Leadership Planning Committee, NAFT Credit Union Board and Pharr Main Street Program Committee. His service was recognized in 2010 when he was named the Pharr Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year. Reyes placed value on family and church. He was an active parishioner of St. Jude’s Catholic Church in Pharr. He loved spending time with his grandchildren, researching local history and genealogy, participating in community activities, attending athletic events, and being informed and involved in valley, city and school government. Visitation was held from 5 to 9 p.m., with a 7 p.m. rosary Friday, August 5, 2016, at Memorial Funeral Home, 311 E. Expressway 83 in San Juan. Funeral services took place at 12 noon Saturday, August 6, 2016, at St. Jude’s Catholic Church in Pharr. Interment followed at Palm Valley Memorial Gardens in Pharr. In lieu of flowers, check donations can be made to the Reyes Vela Memorial Fund and mailed to Anita Vela at 300 Cypress Circle, Pharr, Texas 78577. All monies accrued will be donated to the City of Pharr Parks and Recreation Scholarship Fund, which is used to provide college scholarships to Pharr high school graduates. Special thanks to Mary Chavez, Michael Jones and Amara Hospice for their loving care. Funeral services were under the direction of Memorial Funeral Home in San Juan.