Raul Mario Mireles passed away peacefully on October 2, 2023, at the age of 85. He was born in Kenedy, Texas on December 7th, 1937. His family moved to Falfurrias, Texas, where he graduated from high school and was a UIL State Boys Tennis Tournament Champion in Boys Doubles in 1956. He and his partner, Gregorio Almaraz, became the first Hispanic players ever to win a state title. For this honor, the two were inducted into the Latin American International Sports Hall of Fame in 2018.
After high school, Raul followed in the footsteps of his two brothers and joined the United States Marine Corps where he served until 1958. Raul then moved his family to Corpus Christi, Texas and began a 29-year career with HEB Distribution Center. After retirement, Raul remained actively engaged with the HEB retiree community, regularly attending meetings and events throughout the year. He also remained highly active as a member of the Lindale Senior Center in Corpus Christi. To all blessed to cross his path, Raul was kind, funny, philosophical, and more than anything else, giving of himself. His generous spirit continued until God called him home.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Guadalupe and Celia Mireles, a brother Armando (Angie) Mireles, his spouse Lillie, his daughter Blanca Elisa (John) Ward, his spouse Berta, and a sister Blanca (Andres) Vasquez. He is survived by a brother (SgtMaj, ret.) Gilbert (Dolores) Mireles of Corpus Christi, former spouse (Leonor Braswell) and their son (Lt Col, ret.) Raul T (Irma) Mireles of Bulverde, Texas. He leaves behind 3 grandchildren, Jacob Mireles, Kathryn (William) Porath, and Sarah Mireles plus numerous nieces and nephews who loved him.
Public visitation will be on Wednesday, October 11, 2023 from 6:00 pm until 9:00 pm at Funeraria Del Angel Memorial Holly, 3442 Holly Road Corpus Christi, TX with a Holy Rosary service at 7:30 pm that same evening.
A Funeral Liturgy Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 am on Thursday, October 12, 2023 at Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church, 710 S 19th St, Corpus Christi, TX 78405.
Interment will follow at Coastal Bend Veterans Cemetery at 11:00 am, 9974 I-37, Corpus Christi, TX 78410.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.FunerariaDelAngelMHolly.com for the Mireles family.
