Abel B. Candia Jr.

Abel B. Candia Jr. of San Antonio, TX passed away on May 20, 2023. He was born on September 9, 1947, in Ft. Gulick, C.Z. (Panama) to Abel and Margaret Candia, a military family who experienced various assignments in the US and abroad.

After graduating high school, Abel enlisted in the United States Army. He served two tours as a Combat Medic with the 173rd Airborne Brigade in Vietnam, was stationed in Germany and Korea, and ended his military career at Ft. Sam Houston in San Antonio, TX. Abel retired as a Sgt. 1st Class.

Once retired from the Army, he graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree from UTSA in Biology and a Master’s Degree from Texas A&I Kingsville in School Administration. He taught science at the middle and high school levels in Harlandale ISD and SAISD. He became a Principal at Harris Middle School and was a District Administrator for SAISD. After retiring from school administration, he enjoyed teaching Anatomy and Physiology to dual credit and pre-nursing students.

Over the years, Abel was actively involved in Boy Scout Troop 23, and a Vigil Honor Member of The Order of the Arrow. He volunteered as a coach for various sports and was active at the St. Anthony Catholic Parish at Ft. Sam Houston. He was a member of the 173rd Airborne Brigade Alumni and an Alamo Silver Wings Airborne Association Life Member.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Abel Candia and Margaret Molina.

Abel is survived by his wife, Dr. Patricia Candia; children Abel [Jo] Candia III, Tara Lynn Candia, Rhiannon [Andy] Pape, Geoffrey [Andrea] Candia; grandchildren, Nathan, Mary, Alexander, Benjamin, Caitlyn, Nicole, Christine, Melanie, Gunnar, Vivienne, Sophia, and Isaac, as well as several great-grandchildren; his step-mother Heidi Candia; and siblings, Mary, Evelyn, Alan, Teresa, Cynthia, Linda, Carol, Anna, Anastacio, and Christopher.

The family would like to thank the entire medical team at BAMC for the care and compassion they showed Abel throughout the years.

Family and friends are invited to attend a Visitation and Rosary at Sunset Memorial Park and Funeral Home at 1701 Austin Hwy SA, TX 78218 on May 31, 2023. Visitation with family and friends will begin at 5:00 pm and Rosary at 7:00 pm. A Catholic Mass and Celebration of Life will be held on June 1, 2023 at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church at 10:00 am with a Celebration of Life to immediately follow.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Abel’s honor to Smoothies 4 Students, the American Cancer Society, or Disabled American Veterans (DAV).