Pedro "Pete" Avila

Born on February 26, 1961, to Pedro and Celia (Burciaga) Avila in Juarez, Chih, Mexico, Pete enjoyed a close, loving family growing up with eight brothers and sisters.

When he was ten years old, he moved to El Paso, Texas, where he lived just nine doors away from his future bride, Lulu Perales, who was also ten. They began dating at the age of 15 and were married on July 2, 1983, in El Paso. They traveled the world together and had two beautiful children, Vanessa and Robert, on whom Pete doted.

A combat veteran, Pete retired after a 22-year distinguished career in the United States Army that included two tours of duty in both Korea and Iraq. True-blue, Pete continued in his devotion to his fellow soldiers by volunteering with the Wounded Warrior Project.

Pete was a strong patriarch of his family, a loving husband, father, grandfather, and good friend to all. His grandchildren, Audrey, Elijah, and Graham Nielsen, and Vincent Avila, were the light of his life.

Pete’s interests were wide-ranging. He loved music, played the acoustic guitar, and enjoyed boxing, soccer, track, and football. He also valued history and loved to talk politics. An inveterate jokester, Pete was famous for his corny sense of humor. It’s impossible to think of Pete without smiling.

His biggest disappointment in life was he never got to see a good football safety. An avid football fan, Pete would always shout, “I never seen a good safety!” when the offense made a huge catch during a game. He did this so frequently that the family joked about engraving it on his tombstone.

Strong, compassionate, and loyal, Pete Avila was a truly good man who will be deeply missed by all who loved him.

Pete is preceded in death by his mother Celia Avila and sister Elida Ferron.

Pedro “Pete” Avila is survived by his wife Lulu Perales Avila, his children Vanessa Nielsen (Ryan) and Robert Avila (Jenna), and his grandchildren, Audrey, Elijah, and Graham Nielsen, and Vincent Avila. Also surviving are his father Pedro Avila, Sr., sisters Maria de Jesus Maldonado, Leticia Avila, Marisabel Sueldo, and brothers Gerardo, Hector, Javier, and Manuel Avila, and a host of extended family.

A memorial service officiated by Salvador Perales, Jr. will take place Saturday, April 24, 2021, at 2 pm (CT) at Stonebriar Funeral Home, 10375 Preston Road, Frisco, Texas 75033, with a later interment at the Dallas-Ft Worth National Cemetery in Grand Prairie, TX.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to the Wounded Warrior Project.

The Avila family wishes to express their thanks to Conifer/Tenet leadership and staff, Solais leadership and staff, and countless family and friends, whose heartfelt prayers and expressions of love supported them these last seven weeks.