Abel Alvarez Sr.

Abel was born July 24, 1928 to Juan Alvarez and Zapopan Terrazas, in Houston, Texas.

Abel is survived by his children Albert (Kathy), James (Lori), Thomas, Martha Alvarez, Michael (Sally), Mark and his brother Carlos (Rosa), sister-in-law Rosel Terrazas, 18-grandchildren and 28-great grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his parents, loving wife Estella Peña Alvarez, son Abel Alvarez Jr. and spouse Julie, daughter-in-law Mary Jane Stone, granddaughter Vanessa Estelle Muñoz and his siblings Virginia, Angel, John and spouse Trudy, Don, and Roy and spouse Juanita.

Abel endured a lot throughout his life, but always felt as if he came out on top. As a child who grew up in the barrio of Houston, Texas, he would replace the insoles of his holey shoes with cardboard to ensure neither hail nor rain could keep him from delivering newspapers to support himself and his grandmother, Modesta Flores. Neighbors who cared would give him clothes, food and shelter. These caring acts taught him valuable life lessons to care and uplift everyone he felt needed it especially the widows, the poor and the hungry.

Abel modeled his life on his Catholic beliefs; these beliefs helped guide him through his toughest times. He thought that one has not lived who has not suffered at some time in their life. Our faith teaches us that only through suffering can human beings acquire the necessary capacity to be forbearing and the strength to attain inner growth. This is the reason why God cannot take away suffering from anyone.

He unselfishly enlisted during World War II at the age of 15. His age could not stop his need to protect and serve his country. His active service began in the US Navy (1944-1946) as a Boatswain's Mate 3rd Class stationed on the USS McDermut (DD-677). He then served in the US Navy Reserves (1948-1953) and finished his service with the US Marine Corps Reserves (1953-1956) as a Sergeant (SGT.) attached to the 1st Battalion, 23rd Regiment. His total years of service was nine years, 11 months and two days.

Abel retired from The United States Postal Service on July 13, 1984 with an honorable career of 37 years of dedicated service to the Government of the United States. After retirement, most of his time was spent volunteering at Resurrection Catholic Church and School where he performed many tasks, even maintenance help. Throughout his life he was very active within the Denver Harbor community and was chairman of the Feed the Children Committee to restore free lunches for HISD students.

A quote Abel chose to live by:

“quiero decir que yo soy una persona que siempre miro para adelante el cambio en la vida real y no para atras. lo que paso ya trato de olvidar y seguir adelante con frente al futur.”

“I want to say that I am a person who always looks forward to change in real life and not backwards. The past is the past. I prefer to forget it and look forward to the future and to accept things as they are.”

A visitation for Abel will be held Thursday, February 16, 2023 from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Forest Park Lawndale Funeral Home, 6900 Lawndale Street, Houston, TX 77023. A rosary service will occur Thursday, February 16, 2023 from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM, 6900 Lawndale Street, Houston, TX 77023. A funeral service will occur Friday, February 17, 2023 from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM at Resurrection Catholic Church, 915 Zoe St., Houston, TX 77020. A committal service will occur Friday, February 17, 2023 from 3:00 PM to 3:45 PM at Forest Park Lawndale, 6900 Lawndale Street, Houston, TX 77023.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ForestParkLawndaleFH.com for the Alvarez family.