Gilbert C. Alvarez

Gilbert Colunga Alvarez (aka Tarzan, Alvarez Kelly, Panda Bear) became an angel on January 11, 2022. He was born to Emiterio Lerma Alvarez and Elisa Colunga Alvarez on June 29, 1946. He was the third born of four children: Elisa Chavez+, Emiterio Alvarez III (Minerva), Fernando Alvarez (Ana), Fidel Alvarez+, and Julio Alvarez+. He was blessed to have additional siblings from his parent’s second marriages. He has three sisters from his mother’s marriage to Sirenio Ruiz: Maria Santos, Yolanda Russo, and Sonia Santillan (Fernando); and two sisters from his father’s marriage to Maria Alvarez: Mae A. Pace and Celia A. Perez.

Gilbert attended the Edgewood Independent School District and was actively involved with ROTC and athletics. He proudly joined the United States Marine Corps from October 1966 to November 1969. He served multiple tours in Vietnam (1 Marine Division 1st Marine Base Security Military Police Bn. At Da Nang Air Base; 3rd Marine Division 1st Plt Kilo Company, 3rd Battalion 9th Marine Pointman; and 3rd Marine Division Bravo Comp. CAC/CAP Combat Action Plat). He was awarded a Good Conduct Medal, a Purple Heart, a Combat Action Ribbon, a Vietnamese Service Medal, a Vietnamese Campaign Medal, a National Defense Service Medal and an M-14 Rifle Marksman Badge. When he came home he married and fathered two sons: Gilbert Charles Alvarez and Omar Michael Alvarez (Tanya).

He attended LSU and played football for a short time, later attending St. Mary’s University, where he also played football and received his Bachelor’s degree in Education. On December 22, 1972, he married Delia Sanchez, with whom he had five children: Jennifer Rebecca Robbins (Shannon), Lori Elizabeth Alvarez, Delia Lisa Alvarez+, Christopher Gilbert Alvarez (Sabrina), and Kristianne Alvarez Pidlaoan (Jay). He served in the Army National Guard from June 1977 to June 1987.

He was a wonderful husband and father and worked very hard to give his family a good life full of happiness. He even worked two jobs so he could provide and went back to school at Texas A&I Kingsville to accomplish his goal of obtaining a Master’s degree in Administration. He loved working with secondary school students and coaching in several athletic programs. He was a hard teacher but always showed compassion in his daily work. He loved all of his students and mentored many along the way. As a former football player himself, when he was a student, he was a hands-on coach. If he asked his players to do something, he could often be found doing it alongside them. His faith and that of his wife were firm. During his last years on earth, he became involved with the Military Veterans for Christ. Gilbert loved to help other Veterans. He fought to get his disability benefits which he successfully did and went on to help other Veterans get theirs as well. He loved spending time with his family, dancing, singing and playing World of Warcraft.

He is preceded in death by his parents Emiterio Alvarez, Elisa Alvarez, his stepfather Sirenio Ruiz, his sister Elisa Chavez, his in-laws, Ramona Sanchez and Alexandro Sanchez, his daughter Delia Lisa Alvarez and other family members and friends.

He is survived by his loving wife Delia Alvarez, their children, his sons, numerous cousins, nephews, nieces and his beloved aunt Elvira Hernandez. He leaves behind numerous beloved grandchildren whom he loved so much: Bethany, Ashley, Nick, Mercedes, Alex, Jacob, McKayla, and Isabella; as well as a beloved fur grandbaby Vixxie.

With the loss of Gilbert, the world has lost a great warrior and friend. We have lost the love of our lives. We will miss him dearly…but Viva Christo Rey! Gilbert was passionate about helping his fellow Veterans and expressed that he wanted to help other Veterans in their education and spend his time volunteering at the VA. His family plans to honor his legacy by helping Veterans and their children in pursuit of their education. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to fund the Gilbert C. Alvarez Memorial Veteran’s Education Scholarship at https://gofund.me/b90f0d87, which will help Veterans and their children obtain degrees in education.

A visitation for Gilbert will be held Tuesday, February 8, 2022 from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Funeraria Del Angel Roy Akers, 515 North Main Ave, San Antonio, TX 78205 with a rosary to be recited at 7:00 PM. A funeral mass will occur Wednesday, February 9, 2022 at 10:30 AM at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church, 1710 Clower, San Antonio, TX 78201 with committal service following at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, 1520 Harry Wurzbach Rd, San Antonio, TX 78209.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.FunerariaDelAngelRoyAkers.com for the Alvarez family.