Alfred grew up poor in a home with a dirt floor and a bed sheet as a front door. He was not embarrassed or ashamed, but often told stories of his childhood in order to teach his children about respect and dignity. He also talked about his love of baseball and often visiting a nearby bull-fighting ring.
When he was about 10 years-old, he and his mother grabbed what they could carry and left for the United States. After a brief stay in Chicago, where he saw snow for the first time, ate his first pizza and discovered rock ‘n’ roll, he and his mother decided to visit a friend in San Antonio before returning to Mexico. Instead, mother and son decided to stay and the rest is history.
Alfred met Isabel Sanchez when he was 18 years-old. After they graduated from Brackenridge High School and Fox Tech High School, respectively, the couple were married in 1965 and began a lifelong adventure they never could have imagined.
Alfred joined the U.S Air Force and became an air traffic controller. He served his country from 1970-1971 in Vietnam. Despite earning the distinction as a small arms expert marksman, he supported gun control. He worked for the Federal Aviation Administration and became president of his local PATCO Union. On Aug. 3, 1981, Alfred and 13,000 of his union brothers and sisters went on a strike. It’s a moment that would affect the rest of his life.
He never returned to the FAA. Instead, he returned to school and attended the University of Texas at San Antonio where he majored in accounting. He found a new career at AT&T where he was repeatedly promoted into management. Despite being a manager, he vowed to never cross a picket line – a sentiment supported by his three children – Michael, Elaine and Aaron.
He taught his children the importance of family. He loved being a father and he was very good at it. He was a great listener and teacher. He taught them about music, movies and current events. He encouraged each of them to follow their passions and loved watching their youthful energy. His unmistakable laughter will be missed but his spirit will live on.
He is survived by his three children Michael (and his wife Sandra), Elaine and Aaron; his granddaughter Maddy Aradillas. his great-granddaughter Isabel Aradillas; and his companion Marjorie Thompson. He is preceded in death by his wife Isabel Aradillas and his mother Maria Fountaine.
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