Richard E. “Tel” Croston

Tel graduated Cum Laude from Park University with a Bachelor’s of Science in Business Degree. He was a Master Sergeant in the United States Air Force where he retired after twenty four years. He is a Vietnam, Desert Shield, and Desert Storm Veteran. Tel then worked for the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and retired after eighteen years. He also worked for many years as an usher for The University of Texas.

While in the USAF Tel received two Air Force Commendation Medals, two Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards, six Air Force Good Conduct Medals, two National Defense Service Medals, three Air Force Overseas Long Tour Ribbons, four NCO Professional Military Education Graduation Ribbons, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, and an Air Force Training Ribbon.

Tel was a member of The Knights of Columbus at San Jose Catholic Church. The Texas Longhorns and Green Bay Packers were very dear to his heart.

Tel is preceded in death by his parents, John Clarence Croston and Mary Croston; brothers, Phillip, David and Jeffrey Croston; sisters, Lillian Goldstein, Judith Edmund, Diane “Waheeda” Al-Min; and brothers-in-law, Alberto Rodriguez and Raul Rodriguez.

He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Minerva Rodriguez Croston; sons, Che Croston and wife, Angie, Carlos Croston and wife, Nelda; grandchildren, Marcus, Spencer, and Malik Croston and Marina and Eliana Oquendo; brothers, John Croston and wife, Celestine; sisters, Norma Curry and husband, Wille James, and Carol Croston; brothers-in-law, Francisco Rodriguez and wife, Mary, Delfino Rodriguez and wife, Mary, Johnny Rodriguez and wife, Joyce, David Rodriguez and wife, Mary Anne, and Alfredo Rodriguez; sister-in-law, Maria Luisa Mitchell and husband, Joshua; and many nephews, nieces, god daughters, comadres, compadres, and friends.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M., Tuesday, January 2, 2018 at Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Funeral Home with a Recitation of the Rosary at 7:00 P.M. Mass of Celebration will be at 10:00 A.M., Wednesday, January 3, 2018 at San Jose Catholic Church. Interment will follow at Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Memorial Park.

Honoring Tel as pallbearers will be Che Croston, Carlos Croston, Marcus Croston, Spencer Croston, Robert Garcia, Jr., Tonya Mitchell, Armando Rodriguez, and Rogelio Rodriguez.