ABEL A. ORENDAIN
Attorney and Social Justice Advocate Abel A. Orendain entered eternal rest Thursday, January 20, 2022, surrounded by loved ones at his home in McAllen, Texas.
Mr. Orendain was born January 30, 1958, in El Monte, California to Antonio and Raquel Orendain.
Abel’s father instilled in him a keen sense of justice and inspired him to fight for the oppressed. As a young man in the 1960’s, alongside his parents and Cesar Chavez, Mr. Orendain began his life-long commitment to helping those in need by joining the United Farm Workers Union. At age 11, once arriving in the Rio Grande Valley with his family, Mr. Orendain began organizing for improved working conditions for the Texas Farm Workers Union. Through his parents’ support and encouragement of education, Mr. Orendain graduated from PSJA High School (class of 1976), completed his undergraduate degree at University of Pennsylvania (class of 1981), and finally, received his Juris Doctorate at the University of Houston (class of 1984).
While building and maintaining a successful career as a personal injury attorney at The Law Office of Orendain & Dominguez, Abel always remained committed to serving the less fortunate by providing his federal legal services, pro bono, for over twenty-five years. Abel’s generosity and desire to help in any manner or capacity, allowed him to contribute to numerous causes and charities.
In addition to being a dedicated and loving husband and father, Abel was a follower of Jesus Christ. Throughout his life, he held an unwavering faith in God, which he shared with those who surrounded him. For over a decade, Abel, alongside his wife Lillian, actively attended St. John’s Episcopal Church and participated in numerous retreats, workshops, and seminars while remaining committed to flourishing his life, faith, family, and community. Abel directed St. John’s Food Pantry and served as President and Board Member of the Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley for many years.
On top of his many great accomplishments, Abel was able to volunteer his time as a coach to his sons’ sports teams and to Boys Scouts of America as a scoutmaster. A #1 Dallas Cowboys fan and season ticket holder, he attended every game possible and encouraged all family and friends to do the same.
As Christmas was one of his favorite holidays, Abel looked forward to reading The Night Before Christmas: A Visit from St. Nicholas, a tradition to his entire family on Christmas Eve.
Abel’s love of life fostered his ongoing desire to continually evolve and learn while traveling the world with his family. Generously loving, Abel’s youthful spirit and vivacious personality transformed him into a comedic genius and trivia expert.
Our Hunger Hero, with his loving heart, left a beacon of light for all in the community.
Abel Orendain is preceded in death by his mother, Raquel Ramirez Orendain; his father, Antonio Orendain; and a brother, Juan Antonio (Maura) Orendain.
Abel is survived by his wife, Lillian Orendain; five children, Abel Antonio (Marissa) Orendain II of San Antonio, Joshua Anthony Orendain of Austin, Jonathan Abel Orendain, Hannah Mae Orendain, Jake Russell Orendain, of McAllen; a grandson, Abel Antonio Orendain III; and four siblings, Amada R. Orendain of Miami; Nina Melanie (Mickey Baeza) Orendain of Dallas, Nancy R. (Mahesh Shrestha) Orendain of Philadelphia, Joseph L. (Carmen) Orendain of Edinburg.
Visitation was held from 5 to 8 p.m., with a 6 p.m. prayer service on Tuesday, January 25, 2022, at Memorial Funeral Home, 208 E. Canton in Edinburg. Funeral service will take place at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, January 26, 2022, at St. John’s Episcopal Church in McAllen. Cremation will take place at Memorial Cremation Center in Edinburg.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that Memorial Offerings be made to the St. John’s Food Pantry, a ministry that Abel loved, organized, and supported for many years.
Funeral services are under the direction of Memorial Funeral Home in Edinburg.