Carlos Jorge Hinojosa

Carlos J. Hinojosa, of Mercedes, Texas, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend passed away on February 1, 2024 at age 78.

Carlos, also known to friends as Charlie, was born in Edcouch, Texas January 2, 1946 to Marina and Salvador Hinojosa. He was a very rambunctious child who would sneak off to the movies as a toddler and fall asleep, forcing his family to frantically search for him. His father Salvador decided it would be best for him to start working at the family meat packing company H&H at the age of six (6) to keep him out of trouble. Charlie was driving meat trucks by the age of ten (10) and helping out before and after school.

Carlos attended the Mercedes School District his entire childhood and played football through his senior year for the mighty Tigers (1964). After attending Texas A&M Kingsville Charlie would go on to try out as a walk-on for the NFL team the Chicago Bears, but didn't make the cut. However, the coach was very impressed, and Charlie was recommended to the NFL team the Green Bay Packers where his dream came true. Sadly, two months into practice he was drafted into the Vietnam War.

Carlos met the love of his life Emma Cordova, from Donna, at a quinceniera dance when they were both 15. Carlos courted Emma over 7 years and they were married on April 19, 1968. They raised three lovely girls, Raquel, Margarita, and Carolina. Over the years he attended many tennis tournaments, cheer and dance events for their girls. He stood proud and protective of his little women and slammed many doors in faces, as well as hanging up phone calls to keep the boys at bay.

Carlos was a Vietnam Veteran and served his country proudly for 2 years, 1966-1967, as a US Marine. He was awarded several medals of honor including Vietnam service medal, commendation, campaign, sharpshooter, meritorious unit campaign, meritorious unit citation, and presidential citation. Carlos always had lots of stories from his time in Vietnam, some good and some sad. One of his family's favorite stories is when he was at the top of a Vietnam mountain on patrol and had just eaten pudding out of a can, he threw the can out into the jungle, and within a few minutes the can returned and struck him between the eyes. Unable to see anything as it was the middle of the night, Charlie was startled and began emptying rounds from his machine gun into the jungle. In the morning his group found a monkey as the culprit of the night's fright. Charlie was then stuck with the nickname “monkey killer” after.

After returning from the Vietnam War, Carlos married Emma and returned to work at the family business H&H for about eight (8) more years. He then decided to venture out and bought some property and opened up Charlie's Country Plaza that had a liquor store, hair salon, and laundry mat. He also got his brokers license in real estate and opened a small office in Weslaco, Texas. Over the years he had various ventures and jobs in the banking industry, but his best job was with Banker’s Systems out of Minnesota. He retired and started traveling with Emma in their RV. Their favorite past times were watching the Cowboy's football games and going to Padre Island and playing on the beach. Carlos and Emma recently celebrated 55 years of marriage together.

Carlos will be remembered as a very fun, spiritual, loving man who would tell the best stories, inappropriate dad jokes and prank his family and friends.

Carlos was preceded by Salvador & Marina (parents) Salvador Jr., Gloria, Lechita, Oscar, Jaime, Blanca, Liborio, Hildita (siblings)

Survived by Emma (wife), Raquel, Margarita, and Carolina (daughters), Alaric, Reyna, and Ryder (grandchildren), Ruben, Rene, Hilda (siblings).

A memorial service for Carlos will be held Friday, February 9, 2024 at 11:00 AM at Heavenly Grace Funeral Home & Memorial Park, 26873 N. White Ranch Road, La Feria, Texas 78559.