EMILIO VELA

Emilio Vela, 86, passed away Tuesday, January 4, 2022, at The Gardens at Brook Ridge in Pharr.

Mr. Vela was a man who loved God, his family, his country, and his work. He was a devoted husband and father. He and Janice were married for 65 years and were strong in faith. Everyone who knew Emilio knew that he was an extremely kind, loving, gentle, and peaceful person and that he loved his family very much. Retired 1st Sergeant-E8 Emilio Vela proudly served his country for 41 years. His tours on duty included the Cuban Missile Crisis and Desert Storm. Emilio was a dedicated employee who worked with the State of Texas Department of Transportation(TxDOT) for 43 years. Despite being retired, his passion for work continued, and he ended his career with The Basilica of San Juan. He and Janice were then able to continue with his favorite pastime of watching Westerns.

He is preceded in death by his son, Victor Vela; his parents, Jesus and Porfiria Vela; six siblings, Bridget Vela, Celia Delgado, Lupita Alvarado, Anastacia Gonzalez, Reynaldo Vela and Gilberto Vela.

Mr. Vela is survived by the love of his life, his wife Janice Marie Vela; six children, Jo Egly (Denny Joe) Griffith, Belinda Vela, Leticia Gonzalez, Gloria Vela, Emilio (Yvette) Vela Jr, Lydia (Robert) Macheska; 13 grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren; three siblings, Maria Salazar, Jesus “Jesse” Vela Jr, and Carlos Vela.

Visitation was held from 5 to 8 p.m. with a 6 p.m. rosary, Sunday, January 9, 2022, at Memorial Funeral Home in San Juan. Funeral service took place at 10 a.m. Monday, January 10, 2022, at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church in Pharr. Interment followed at Palm Valley Memorial Gardens in Pharr.

Funeral services are under the direction of Memorial Funeral Home in San Juan.