Arturo Villarreal, Jr.

Arturo Villarreal, Jr.

June 28, 1942-August 1, 2020

Arturo Villarreal, Jr., 78, joined our Lord in His heavenly kingdom on August 1, 2020.  Arturo was born on June 28, 1942, to Arturo Villarreal and Maria Antonieta Martinez Villarreal.  HE attended local elementary and secondary schools, was a member of the 1960 graduating class of Martin High School, and continued his education at Texas A&I at Kingsville, Texas, graduating in 1965.  Upon graduation, Arturo was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army.  He served in Vietnam for an extended tour of eighteen months and was released from active duty in 1968 with the rank of Captain.

Arturo worked for the Veteran’s Administration and in 1977 continued his federal government career with the U.S. Customs Service at the Port of Hidalgo, Texas.  In 1984, he was promoted and transferred to the Port of Laredo where he served until his retirement in 2002 as a Supervisory Custom Inspector.

Arturo was preceded in death by his parents, Arturo and Maria Antonieta Villarreal.

Left to cherish his memory are his siblings, Carlos R. (Irma) Villarreal, Norma (Jorge) Elizondo, and Enrique R. (Bertha) Villarreal.  Also left to cherish his memory is the love his life, Sylvia Martinez Bird.  Arturo is also survived by numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.  Those who know Arturo are left with many memories of travel experiences, hunting events, Astros games, gatherings at the Kings Inn, and evening meals at different restaurants.

The family will be receiving condolences on Wednesday evening, August 5, 2020 from 5 to 9 p.m. at Joe Jackson Heights Funeral Chapels & Cremation Services, 719 Loring at Cortez; where a Vigil for the Deceased and Rosary will commence at 7 p.m.  Live transmission of the recitation of the holy rosary and vigil rites may be accessed on the link of the virtual obituary or by going to: https://www.facebook.com/JJFCHeights.INC/

Funeral Services will be held on Thursday morning, August 6, 2020 departing at 8:30 a.m. from Joe Jackson Heights Funeral Chapels to Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church for a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:00 a.m.  Funeral Mass will be live at: https://www.facebook.com/BlessedSacramentLaredo/

Rite of Committal and Interment will follow at the family plot in the Calvary Catholic Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be: Enrique R. Villarreal, Mike A. Villarreal, Roger C. Rocha, Jr., Carlos R. Villarreal, Jr., Ricardo M. Villarreal, Daniel J. Elizondo, Eduardo E. Elizondo, and Manuel Arreola, Jr.

Honorary Pallbearers will be: David J. Elizondo, Vicente Bustamante, Romeo Escobar, O.B. Garcia, Alfonso Gutierrez, Rolando Gutierrez, Fred San Miguel, and Joe Mendoza.

The family would like to extend their most heartfelt gratitude to: Dr. Jose R. Garcia.

You may express your condolences, share your favorite memories, and sign the guestbook online at: www.joejacksonfuneralchapels.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care and direction of the funeral service professionals at Joe Jackson Heights Funeral Chapels & Cremation Services, 719 Loring at Cortez, Laredo, Texas 78040; (956)722-0001.