Armando "Rocky" A. Aranda, Sr.

Armando is the son of Sara and Pedro Aranda. He was a 1950 graduate of Fox Tech High School. Soon after he attended International Correspondence School where he earned an Associate’s Degree in Surveying. In 1954, he met Ventura, the love of his life, and were married on June 3, 1956.

He was the City of San Antonio's Surveyor and Public Works Department Administrator for 18 years; sought greater potential and co-founded Aranda & Kurz, Inc. serving as its Surveyor. He continued in the capacity of a Registered Professional Land Surveyor for several firms since in San Antonio from 1961 until 2013 when he retired.

Rocky was a board member, chairman or President of: the Chambers of Commerce (Greater San Antonio, South Side and West Side), VIA Metropolitan Transit Authority Trustee, Democratic Party (Precinct Chair for five decades and Democratic Leadership Council), Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, Avenida Guadalupe Assoc.; numerous City and County Boards and Commissions (Crime Commission, Small Business Advisory Council, Transportation Advisory Council, Zoning Commission, etc.); Boy Scouts (Founded first Handicap Scouting program in America, Order of the Arrow, St. George Emblem, Catholic Committee on Scouting, Silver Beaver Award and Wood Badge recipient); Catholic Organizations (Society of the Holy Name, Knights of Columbus, St. Stephen’s Men’s Club, Lector, Usher and Parish Council and Immaculate Conception Kindergarten and Daycare); Texas Professional Surveyors Association, Optimists International, and Professor of Surveying and Engineering Drafting at San Antonio and St. Phillips Colleges. Rocky was a true servant leader of our community.

In 1942, Armando was the first case of polio in San Antonio. After recovery through the grace of God, he took great satisfaction from having helped and taught thousands of individuals who needed assistance through the years. In 1989, he was the family patriarch, he led the Aranda legacy to the San Antonio Hispanic Family of the Year finalist. Rocky’s professional achievements were vast, but his greatest accomplishment was his family. He never missed an opportunity to express his love for his wife or praise the accomplishments of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, Ventura, his parents, his siblings, Mary, Noemi, and Alfonso. He is survived by his loving children: Anna Giron, Maria Elena Aranda, Armando Aranda, Jr. (Sara), Rose Mary Bueno, Mary Esther Galan, and Yoly Singletary (Lance); his grandchildren: Javier Giron, Melanie Aranda Tawil, Armando Aranda III, Ray Bueno, Jr., Stephanie Zamudio, Melissa Bueno, and Eric Bueno, Nathan Singletary and Justin Singletary; great-grandchildren; Alejandra Giron, Elizabeth Tawil, John Paul Tawil, Landon Singleton, Mila Zamudio, and Steven Zamudio, Jr., numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and many loving friends. Special thanks to Cecilia Tovar and Jackie Kurz.

July 27th — Visitation 6:00 pm, Rosary 7:00 pm

Trevino Funeral Home, 226 Cupples Rd., SAT

July 28th — Funeral Mass 11:00 am

St. John Berchmans Catholic Church, 1147 Cupples Road, SAT

Interment will follow at

San Fernando Cemetery #2, 746 Castroville Road, SAT