Rudy A. Presas

On February 28, 1929 Luis Medrano Presas and Alejandra Alfaro Presas welcomed their son Rudy (Rodolfo) Alfaro Presas into their lives. Rudy was the 7th of 8 children born into this family. On April 28, 2018 he went to be reunite with his family, those who have passed before him as well as with his wife Bertha and granddaughter Ellie.

Rudy was born in San Antonio, was raised in the Alazan Apache Courts. He attended and graduated from Lanier HS in 1949 where he exceled in his favorite class photography. In 1950 he took his first job in photography at Beverly Studios where he worked as a Darkroom Man until he was drafted. He served as a Scout Master for Troop 41 along with his brother Sam at the Alazan Apache Courts where he lived.

He was inducted into the US Army December 8, 1950 and assigned to Ft. Hood Texas for basic training. He was Honorably Discharged on November 12, 1952. During his tenure in the army he was station in Ogden, Utah, the Nevada Proving Ground where he took part in operation Buster-Jangle, testing of the atomic bomb. Rudy was in the desert from September to November 1951 and experienced and supported four atomic test explosions, Abel, on October 22, 1951, Baker, October 28, 1951, Charlie, October 30, 1951 and Dog, November 1, 1951. He was then sent to Yokahama Japan in support of the Korean War effort and the UN Occupational forces. He received the Korean Service Medal and the UN Service Medal, National Defense Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal and for Operation Buster-Jangle he received a Letter of Appreciation from the Commanding Officer 53rd Quartermaster Base Depot. Rudy was a member of the National Association of Atomic Veterans. Later in his life he would again be called to service as a volunteer in the Ft. Sam Houston MSD, (Memorial Service Detachment Honor Guard), veterans serving veterans providing military honors during funerals. He was honored to have been given the designation of Lifetime Member.

After his discharge he went to work in Civil Service and was employed with the San Antonio Air Logistic Command at Kelly Air Force Base. He retired after 38 years of service.

Rudy’s hobbies through out his life included model airplane building and drawing. When his children were young he was a CYO baseball and basketball coach and later a softball coach for La Union Rebels who play in the San Antonio city softball league. In his retirement years he participated in several bowling and pool leagues.

In February 1952 he married the love of his life, Bertha Martinez. They were married until her death March 22,2012. They had 3 Children, Louis Rene, Rudy Randall and Stephanie Elaine and 5 grandchildren, Alexandra, Austin, Randi, Aneca and Harley. He is also survived by his youngest sister Dolores Collier.

The Family would like to thank Kendra Sherman and the staff of Griswold Homecare, a special thank you to Francine Medina, Marilou Reyes Cruz, Rosa Vargas, Norma Sanchez, Ramona (Mona) Garza, Debra Webb and Cecelia who all showed professionalism of the highest quality, care, compassion and love not only to their profession but also to their client.

Visitation will be June 14 from 6-9PM with a Prayer Service at 7pm. A Church Service at Bethel United Methodist Church on June 15 beginning at 9:30AM with burial at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery. Military honors will be conducted by the Ft Sam Houston Memorial Service Detachment.