Jesus G. Contreras

Jesus G. Contreras went peacefully to his eternal rest reuniting with Guadalupe, his wife of 58 years on November 8, 2014. He was born April 24, 1922 in Rivera, Texas to the late Donaciano & Refugia (Gonzalez) Contreras. While attending Roy Miller High School he was drafted into the military. Jesus served in the U.S. Army in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater during WWII, where he took part in ground combat at Iwo Jima. Upon returning home he married his beautiful bride Lupita on January 8, 1950.

Jesus worked in civil service at Harlingen Air Force Base until 1960, then transferred to Corpus Christi Naval Air Station and retired from Corpus Christi Army Depot with more than 30 years of service. He also retired from the Art Museum of South Texas. Among his many proud accomplishments, he was a proud member of the Catholic War Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars, charter member of the American GI Forum, and a lifelong 3rd degree member of the Knights of Columbus. Jesus was instrumental in seeking accreditation for Holy Family Catholic School in the 60s, later serving as its first school board president. But his proudest accomplishment was being a devout Catholic, a devoted husband, a loving and compassionate father, grandfather and great grandfather.

Jesus is survived by his children, Jesus (Diana), Lloyd, Anna, Daniel (Marcia), Cecilia Cruz (Sergio), and Susanna Ratchford (Glenn); grandchildren, Adriana Contreras (Angie), Rene Morin (Wendy), Stephanie Acuña-Valdez (Noe), Daniel Acuña, Aaron Contreras, Sara Cruz, Christopher Contreras, Melanie Ratchford, James Contreras and Juliana Ratchford; four great grandchildren; brothers Noe (Alicia), Juan (Corina), Ruben (Irene); and numerous nieces, nephews and kindred friends. He was preceded in death by his wife, parents and brothers, Reymundo, Adan, Daniel, Fidencio & Baldemar and a sister, Maria Alvarado.

Funeral services will begin on Thursday, November 13, 2014, with a viewing from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Memory Gardens followed by a Rosary at St. Patrick Catholic Church from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, November 14, 2014 at St. Patrick Catholic Church at 10:00 A.M with burial to follow immediately after at Memory Gardens. Pallbearers will be Sergio Cruz, Glenn Ratchford, Rene Morin, Aaron, Christopher and James Contreras.

The family would like to extend its deepest gratitude to Dr. Andres Nissenblatt and staff, New Century Hospice, Blanca Salisbury, Nora Garza, Terry Milam and all family and friends who have helped. Your heartfelt words and prayers have been a great source of comfort during this difficult time.