Angel Laurel, Sr.

Angel Rogelio Laurel, Sr., was born on October 11, 1923 in Laredo, Texas to Zaragoza and Maria C. Laurel. He passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family on May 23, 2014. Angel attended St. Joseph's Academy and St. Edwards University. He lived an incredibly blessed and full life which he shared with his greatest love, his wife of 64 years, Lidia Saenz Laurel. They married on November 27, 1949 and were rarely apart from then on; he knew he picked a good one and she was his saint. Very early in his life, Angel found a passion for ranching and cattle with his father Zaragoza Laurel and his grandfather, Amado Laurel. He would later become a very successful insurance agent with the Great American Reserve of Dallas but remained very dedicated and proud of his ranching and cattle operation, including his Red Brangus cattle. Angel was an outdoorsman who enjoyed the peace and serenity he found at his ranch. The great respect and love he had for ranching and cattle came from witnessing his father persevere through difficult hardships on his land. Angel Rogelio Laurel Sr. believed in respect, honesty, and a strong work ethic. These principles were imbedded in him and he taught his children to value them as well. With a strong belief in a government that is "for the people," Angel proudly served as a Webb County Commissioner in the 1970s. He was also very involved with several local charities. Our father, Angel, was an adoring and humble man who was devoutly dedicated to his Catholic faith and his beloved Blessed Sacrament Church. Family was extraordinarily important to Angel and he never passed an opportunity to travel with his relatives and sisters, Oralia Laurel and Angelia Sanchez. He loved spending time surrounded by the large family he created and was truly proud of his children and name. Angel watched all six of his children marry, start families of their own and was extremely overjoyed when his children became grandparents. He is preceded in death by his parents Zaragoza and Maria C. Laurel, his sister Arabela (Armando) Benavides, his brothers Alonzo (Esther) Laurel, Oscar M. Laurel, Sr., Sergio (Eloisa) Laurel, and his brother in law Trinidad P. Sanchez. He is survived by his loving wife, Lidia Saenz Laurel, his children: Angel R (Maria Angelia "Tita") Laurel, Sara Alicia (Rodolfo) Bazan; Jr.; Maria Lidia (Miguel) Dorantes, Jr.; Roberto J. Laurel; Rebecca (Don) Boubel, and; Marissa (David) Trevio. He is also survived by his sisters Angelina (TP+) Sanchez and Oralia Laurel; his sister in law, Rosabel Saenz; his grandchildren Angel R. Laurel, III, Andres Laurel, Alejandro Laurel, Rodolfo Bazan, Jr., Triana Bazan, Carlo (Denise) Bazan, Miguel (Alison) Dorantes, III, Analee (Eric) Smith, Adriana (Chris) Moniodes, Robert (Sonia) Laurel, Jr., Cristell Laurel, Andria J. Laurel, Destin Boubel, David V. Trevio, Jr., and Ariana A. Trevio; his great grandchildren Andres Lerma, Alize Bazan, Esteban Garcia, Alesandra Garcia, Addison Smith, Robert Michael Laurel, Sergio Alonzo Laurel, and numerous nieces and nephews. The family wishes to thank Dr. Eduardo Miranda, Dr. Reynaldo Godines, Dr. Winder-Vasquez, Dr. Luis Benavides, Dr. Arturo Santos, and Dr. Joaquin Cigarroa and all the wonderful and caring nurses and staff at both Laredo Medical Center and Doctors Hospital who cared for him over the past year. The family would also like to extend a very special thank you to Chavela, Ana, Luis, Alicia, and Alfredo who cared for our father at home. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to any of the following charitable organizations that were close to our father: Blessed Sacrament Parish Hall Expansion Fund, Bethany House, South Texas Food Bank, Voz de Nios, Casa Misericordia, or the San Agustin Cathedral Restoration Fund. A Holy Rosary will be recited at 9:00AM, Monday May 26, 2014, followed immediately by a burial mass at Blessed Sacrament Church. Interment will take place at the Catholic Calvary Cemetery immediately following mass. Pallbearers will be: Rodolfo Bazan, Jr., Carlo Bazan, Miguel Dorantes, III, Robert Laurel, Jr., Angel R. Laurel, III, Andres Laurel, Alejandro Laurel, Destin Boubel, and David V. Trevio, Jr. Honorary Pallbearers will be: Oscar Laurel, Jr., Oscar Laurel, III, Lorenzo Laurel, Sergio Benavides, Sergio Benavides, Jr., Horacio Benavides, Armando Benavides, Jr. Armando Benavides, III, Ricardo Laurel, Alonzo Laurel, Jr., Mario Sanchez, TP Sanchez, Jr., David Sanchez, and Memo Sanchez. You may extend your condolences to the family online at: www.joejacksonfuneralchapels.com Arrangements are under the care and direction of the funeral service professionals at Joe Jackson North Funeral Chapels, 1410 Jacaman Rd., Laredo, TX 78041, 956.722.8850