Ricardo Villarreal

He was born in Zapata, TX on January 6, 1938, to Manuel and Maria (Molina) Villarreal. He graduated from St. Augustine High School in Laredo, TX in 1957. During high school, he worked as a stock boy, butcher and cashier at the Piggly Wiggly were he initially earned $10 per week and left earning $15 per week. He also joined the United States Navy Reserves while in high school. After high school, he began active duty in the United States Navy. While on the USS Saratoga in September 1957 during NATO Operation Strikeback, he crossed the Arctic Circle becoming an official member of the Royal Order of the Blue Noses. After two years of active service ending June 1959, he continued in the Navy Reserves and attended Texas College of Arts and Industries in Kingsville, TX, graduating in August 1964 with a Bachelor of Business Administration. While working with the Internal Revenue Service for 7 years, he earned an Enrolled Agent designation and was transferred to Houston, TX in 1973. In January 1977, he started Ricardo Villarreal Bookkeeping and Tax Service. Not only did he have clients in Houston, but many out-of-town, out-of-state and a few overseas clients as well. For many years, he travelled monthly to Zapata where he maintained a second office to serve his clients in South Texas. Ricardo had many long-term relationships with clients who often turned to him not only for business advice, but also personal matters as he was a trusted confidant.

Ricardo served on the St. Jerome Parish Council, St. Jerome School Board, was active for many years in the Knights of Columbus Council 4550 during which he became a Fourth Degree knight and served as Treasurer. He was a Eucharistic Minister, took communion to the sick and volunteered at masses held at the Golden Age Nursing Home. Ricardo also served many years as Treasurer for Our Lady of Czestochowa Parish Council.

The things most important to Ricardo were his faith and his family.

He is predeceased by his father, mother, brothers Luis and Gustavo (Blanca) Villarreal, sisters Belia (Eustolio) Benavides, Gloria Salinas, and Berta (Saul) Ramirez, nephews Ruben Salinas, Luis Rene Villarreal, and great-nephew Eduardo M. Villarreal, Jr.

Ricardo is survived by his wife of 52 years, Alma Graciela Garcia Villarreal of Hebbronville, TX; his daughter Veronica, her husband Kyle Hein and their children Taylor, Alexa, Ian and Aedan; son Ricardo Jr.; and daughter Venesa, her husband Lee Pamuk and their sons Coleman, Mason, Sutton, Ellis and Archer; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A visitation at St. Jerome Catholic Church in Houston, TX will be held on Thursday, February 15, 2018, from 6pm to 8:30pm with a Rosary and Vigil Service beginning at 7pm. A visitation at Rose Garden Funeral Home in Zapata, TX will be held on Friday, February 16, 2018, from 6pm to 9pm with a Rosary beginning at 7pm. The Funeral Mass at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Zapata, TX will be held on Saturday, February 17, 2018, at 10am with interment following at El Ranchito Family Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made in honor of Ricardo to St. Jerome Catholic School Endowment Foundation, 8825 Kempwood Drive, Houston, TX 77080.