Mario Cavazos

Mario Gerardo Cavazos

November 3, 1955-August 30, 2021

Mario Gerardo Cavazos, 65, joined our Lord in His heavenly kingdom on Monday, August 30, 2021.

Mario G. Cavazos was born on November 3, 1955. He spent all 12 years of elementary, middle, and high school at St. Augustine. After graduating in May of 1974, he took his talents and intelligence to San Antonio, TX where he attended St. Phillips College. He obtained his degree in basic and radio communications.

On March 1, 1977, he was employed by Sheriff Mario Santos. Later on, during the summer of 1977, it was a requirement for him to complete the academy to become a licensed peace officer. Upon meeting all requirements, he advanced to intermediate level and then to the general level. After 12 years, he was named and appointed as Director of Public Safety Communications Engineer. He served 21 departments, and brought over technological advancements. Some of his achievements include: The ability to broadcast the weather channel in the radio and portable mobile. He espoused a new communication counsel for the Sheriff's Department, along with a recording system which had never been done before at that time. Needless to say, he not only brought over new, fresh, and sophisticated technological advancements and innovations, but he brought them over to the vehicles.

In the 1990s, for the first time in the history of Webb County, he was able to introduce Public Safety Communications at the jail with a unit ID and a man down technology system. To explain this technology, he could sum it up as a person who is in the control room in which the individual can detect if one of the officer's is in trouble. He worked closely in sending letters of request for federal funding in Austin, Texas to purchase a communication tower in South Laredo. As a result, because of his tenacity and grit, he was successfully awarded over $700,000 of state grants, which resulted in bringing in a new communications tower, communication equipment, and a shelter. The best part about all this was that the Sheriff's Department did not have to pay a single penny.

During the 2000s, he spent his time on infrastructure contingency planning. For example, he had to check each radio in the Sheriff's department to make sure they had the proper wave and length to engage in communication among their colleagues. Throughout the course of his career, he assuaged the digital technology with voice secure encryption. He also worked closely with the City of Laredo to bring their technological frequencies to the Sheriff's Department. He accomplished in bringing over the emergency communication equipment center at the old base.

Throughout his 40 years of serving Webb County, he was satisfied in seeing the growth and support of the state in giving the proper funding to purchase their latest VHF Digital Trucking System. With the many opportunities that Webb County gave him, he found and established an ensemble of people that helped orchestrate his energy, passion, respect, wholeness, and above all, authenticity.

Aside from his passion at work, he was a devoted father and husband. He made sure his family were always together. He loved his two sons, Mario G. Cavazos, Jr. and Luis Enrique Cavazos, and wife, Lupita R. Cavazos. He taught them the importance of loving one another and to always have each other's back. Above all else, always be persistent in any task or project you go after. And never be satisfied when one door closes. There are other doors and more opportunities along the way.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Mario and Teresa Cavazos, and his wife, Guadalupe R. “Lupita” Cavazos.

Left to cherish his memory are his sons, Mario Gerardo Cavazos, Jr., Luis E. Cavazos, and his siblings, Tita Rodriguez and Ernesto Cavazos.

The family will be receiving condolences on Monday evening, September 6, 2021 from 5 to 9 p.m. at Joe Jackson North Funeral Chapels & Cremation Services, 1410 Jacaman Rd.; where a Vigil for the Deceased and Rosary will commence at 7 p.m.

Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday morning, September 7, 2021 departing at 9:30 a.m. from Joe Jackson North Funeral Chapels to Christ the King Catholic Church for a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m.

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

Pallbearers will be officers from the Webb County Sheriff’s Department.

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.