Edward G. Romero

Edward G. Romero, 94, of Corpus Christi, Texas, passed away, surrounded by family, on Sunday, December 15, 2024. Edward was born on October 13, 1930, in Bishop, Texas to Macario and Juanita Romero. He spent his early years traveling with his father, picking cotton, around the state of Texas. He then moved to Pharr, Texas at age 8 and began elementary school while living with his paternal grandfather, Agapito Romero. Edward was a fast learner, and was very proud of the fact that, despite starting school so late, he was able to skip ahead and be put in a class with students his own age. He attributed this to his success in Math. He worked during his years at school, feeding the family cow, and selling sweet bread around the town of Pharr for his uncle. When he was a senior in high school he was drafted into the army, however, when an Air Force recruiter came to his school, he quickly decided that the Air Force was the one for him. He graduated from Pharr San Juan Alamo High School in 1951.

He started his military career at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. Edward joined the Air Force because he wanted to see the world. During his 20 years of military service, he was stationed at Francis E. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne, Wyoming, International Air Force Base in West Palm Beach, Florida, Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho, Great Falls Air Force Base in Montana, Camp Kilmer in New Jersey, Southampton, England, Royal Air Force Base in Molesworth, Cambridgeshire, England, Royal Air Force Prestwick Base in Scotland, Westover Air Force Base in Massachusetts, Sidi Slimane Air Force Base in Morocco, Royal Air Force Base in West Drayton, England, Royal Air Force Base in Upper Heyford, England, Royal Air Force Base in Mildenhall Seaforth’s, England, McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey, Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri, Bergstrom Air Force Base in Austin, Texas, Torrejon Air Force Base in Spain, and Charleston Air Force Base in South Carolina. His main job was in supplies.

While stationed in Molesworth, Cambridgeshire, England, he met the love of his life, Maureen Fradley, who he affectionately referred to as his “bread and butter.” Shortly after meeting Maureen, Edward’s father, Macario, suffered a stroke, and Edward was sent home. During this time, Edward and Maureen would write to each other. He eventually mailed her a picture saying, “All my love, Eddie” and an engagement ring. After months of being in his hometown of Bishop, Edward decided to re-enlist in the Air Force. He was assigned to Morocco and would spend the next 18 months trying to get deployed back to England to be with Maureen. During this time, they wrote countless loved notes to each other. Maureen and Eddie were reunited, and were married on June 15, 1957, in Peterborough, England. His first son, Edward, was born while he was stationed in England. Edward and Maureen were then relocated to Missouri where their children, Belinda, Diana, and Mark, were born. Upon retiring from the Air Force in 1971, after 20 years and 6 days of service, the family moved back to Edward’s hometown of Bishop, Texas. He then began a 22-year career in Finance.

One of Edward’s lifelong hobbies was the love of Premier League Soccer. He kept detailed records of their rankings and scores. A favorite Saturday past-time was waking up early to watch his soccer. Another activity that he enjoyed was playing Canasta with his family. Edward was always ready to play a game of Canasta with Maureen as his partner. Edward instilled the importance of education and hard work in his family. A family man to his core, he shared with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren his motto: “Never Give Up.” He had faith in God, and always gave thanks to “The Man Upstairs.” Edward never met a stranger. He could hold an hour-long conversation with someone he just met. He enjoyed 66 wonderful years of marriage to Maureen before her death in 2023.

He is preceded in death by parents, Macario and Juanita Romero, and his brother Carlos G. Romero. Left to cherish his memories, are his children Edward Romero Jr. (Sylvia), Belinda Hernandez (Mario), Diana Castillo (Thomas), and Mark Romero (Michelle); grandchildren, Mario Jr. (Samantha), Anthony, Ryan (Alexandra), Aaron (Erin), Granet (Erin), Andrew, Morgan (Lance), Coral (AJ), and Stone; great-grandchildren, Roman, Addison, Jeremy, Jane, and Nathaniel; and siblings Paul Romero, Beatrice Romero, Stella Crafts (George), Humberto Romero (Celia), Ana Romero, Gloria Romero Flores (Perry), and Ruben Romero (Olga).

Visitation for Edward will begin at 1 PM on Saturday, December 21, 2024, at Memory Gardens Funeral Home, where a Funeral Celebration will begin at 2 PM. Rite of Committal and Interment with Final Military Honors will follow at Memory Gardens Cemetery. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.memorygardensfuneralhome.com for the Romero Family.