Carlos Humberto Arguindegui

Carlos Humberto Arguindegui, 87, loving husband, supportive father, dedicated grandfather, and beloved citizen of Laredo, Texas was welcomed into our Lord’s heavenly kingdom on Wednesday, January 6th, 2021.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Pedro Ramon Sr. and Marina Lilia; his wife of 52 years, Rosa Maria; and his brother, Peter Arguindegui Jr.

Left to cherish his memory are his sister, Maria Teresa Arguindegui Regnier; his three children, Maria Regina Arguindegui, Carlos Humberto Arguindegui Jr. (Elsa), and Rebecca Margaret Lewis (Mark); granddaughters, Gabriela Isabel Arguindegui, Elsa Laura Lum (Ikaika), Adriana Marina Arguindegui, Claire Elaine Lewis, and Marina Lewis; and great-granddaughters, Charlotte Leilani Lum and Harper Kailani Lum; as well as numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, family members and friends.

“Chale” as he was known, was born to Pedro Ramon Arguindegui Sr. and Marina Lilia Acevedo de Arguindegui in Laredo, Texas; he was the second of three children. Having attended St. Peters Primary School, he went on to graduate from St Joseph’s Academy, where, under the guidance and mentorship of the Marist Brothers, he excelled in sports. He was an exemplary all-round athlete, competing in football, basketball, track and field, and baseball. He was later selected and pitched for the American Legion Baseball Team.

Chale went on to receive his Bachelor of Science Degree in Agricultural Administration from Texas A&M College in 1955, and shortly thereafter joined the U.S Army. He was stationed at Fort Bliss in West Texas where he was assigned to the NIKE Surface to the Air Missile Training Program. These rockets would become the basis for and would later prove invaluable in NASA’s atmosphere research and exploration.

Shortly after, Chale worked in Mexico City at the Anderson Clayton Company (ACCO), which specialized in agricultural feeds, working in a cotton seed operation.

He met and married Rosa Maria Barrera in Mexico City in 1959. Upon returning to Laredo, he taught science at Lamar Junior High School, where he was beloved, respected, and gained large popularity among his pupils. Many of them continue to remember him fondly and have professional careers in Laredo and elsewhere.

Chale then joined the family fuel and lubricant business, alongside his brother in 1962 which became PR Arguindegui & Sons. His father, Peter Sr., who founded the business in 1942, was a commission agent for CONOCO, (Continental Oil Company) and established several service stations which distributed gasoline, diesel, kerosene and lubricants. Together they grew the business, expanding into different markets and sectors including convenience stores, oil and gas, mining, trucking, farming, and ranching. Eventually Arguindegui Oil Company was formed and they laid the groundwork for a family business that continues to grow and flourish today. During his tenure at AOC, Chale served as Vice President, and was also a member of Conoco’s Distributor Lubricant Advisory Board at a national level. After over 40 years at AOC Chale retired in 2004. Throughout the years AOC received numerous business awards for the commitment and excellence in the fuel and lubricant industry as well as the business community.

As a successful company, AOC established several philanthropic grants which included a STEM Endowment at TAMIU, along with numerous educational scholarships in an effort to give back to their community.

Like much of his family, Chale loved to play golf and was a charter member of the Laredo Country Club.  He also loved hunting, fishing, and world travel; he was able to journey to many countries. While in Europe, he began researching his Spanish Basque heritage making several trips to Northern Spain. He became passionate about his genealogy, which he continued to pursue to his last days. A devout Catholic, Chale along with his brother Pete, were benefactors to the San Carlos Mission in South Laredo. He gave generously to many charities including Sacred Heart Children’s Home, Bethany House, South Texas Food Bank, SMILE Train, and the Wounded Warrior Project.

Organizations he belonged to included: The Laredo Noon Lions Club, St. Augustine High School PTA, and Texas A&M Association of Former Students.

A private man, yet very friendly and easy going, he was down to earth, always polite and could converse easily with anyone. Chale enjoyed the theater, musicals, films, historical documentaries, and always cheered on his beloved Texas A&M Aggies. He was a sharp dresser, and a true old school gentleman in every sense of the word, he led a full and successful life and will be missed greatly by all who knew and loved him.

We wish to thank all of our family, friends, and acquaintances that have expressed their condolences on the loss of our beloved father.  After careful consideration and out of concern for everyone’s health and safety during this pandemic, Chale’s Services will be held privately by our family. There will be plans to hold his Celebration of Life at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that you consider making a donation to: The Bethany House at 817 Hidalgo St., Sacred Heart Children’s Home at 3310 S. Zapata Hwy., or the Laredo Animal Protective Society (LAPS) at 2500 Gonzalez St.

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 North Funeral Chapels & Cremation Services, 1410 Jacaman Rd., Laredo, Texas 78041; (956)722-8850.