On Monday, October 3, 2022, Rafael Rios, beloved father, uncle, grandfather, and great grandfather, entered eternal rest at the age of 92. As a young adult, Ralph was a Golden Glove boxing champion in Brownsville and played football for Texas Southmost College. An avid reader, he earned a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Arts from Texas A&I in Kingsville in 1958 and spent thirty-five years as a secondary teacher and coach. He served in the Navy and went on a tour of duty in Korea. Ralph touched the lives of countless students and community members in Brownsville and Los Fresnos, Texas, respectively.
Ralph met his wife and great love of his life, Maria del Rosario de la Paz, in 1955. They married in June of 1961 at Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Brownsville, and had one daughter, Rosie, born in April of 1962. It was no surprise when his daughter and several grandchildren went on to be educators.
After being a widower for ten years, Ralph married Ellie Gomez, his faithful wife of forty-eight years. Ralph also loved woodworking and giving his creations away as gifts to family members and friends.
Ralph was best known for his warmth, generosity, and hardworking spirit. During his time in Los Fresnos, he could be found enjoying breakfast at Tapia’s and giving quarters out to young people at El Rio Carwash. He was a longstanding member of St. Cecilia’s Catholic Church and was active in several Brownsville and Los Fresnos organizations over the years. Most notably, he was part of Sembradores Unidos in Brownsville, and served on the Los Fresnos City Commission from 1994-1999.
He is survived by his children, Rosie Hatley (LeRoy) of Brownsville, Dolly Zimmerman (Mike) of Los Fresnos, Gil Gomez (Jerri) of Los Fresnos; grandchildren Giana Hesterberg (Beau) and Erin Hatley of Brownsville; Heidi Mulroony (Sean) of Cypress, Texas; Veronica Mojica (Chris) of San Antonio, Texas; Hans Zimmerman (Cat Conte) of Austin, Texas; Joel Gomez (Lauren) of Nashville, Tennessee, and Lilvia Larraga (Luis) of Los Fresnos, Texas; and great-grandchildren, Jack, Cecily, and Felicity Hesterberg; Liam, Atticus, and Dahlia Mulroony; Elsie Zimmerman; Alma, CJ, and Luke Mojica; Gabriel Gomez; and Camila, Naomi and Sergio Larraga. And many more loving relatives.
Visitation with family will be Friday, October 7, 2022 from 5PM to 7PM with the recitation of the Holy Rosary at 7PM at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home at 657 Springmart Boulevard in Brownsville, Texas. A Mass will take place on Saturday morning at 10AM at The Lord of Divine Mercy Parish at 650 E. Alton Gloor Boulevard in Brownsville, Texas. inurnment will be at 11AM at Rose Lawn Memorial Gardens at 4464 Old Port Isabel Road in Brownsville, Texas. Services are under the guidance of Sunset Memorial Funeral Home, Crematory & Flower Shop. 657 Springmart Blvd., Brownsville, Texas. (956) 350-8485
To send flowers or a plant to the family in the memory of Mr. Rafael Rios, please visit https://didisflowershop.com/shop or call (956) 455-3718
5 Comments
Uncle Ralph, you will be missed. Our deepest condolences to all of your family. You were a good man and a great husband to our Aunt Elida. You are now at peace. May Saint Peter welcome you with open arms, and our Almighty God bless you into paradise.
Rest In Peace Ralph. I will love and care for your daughter in your absence. I know you were proud of the kind and loving woman she became, as we are. She honors you in the way she lives her life, which is the greatest honor we can give our parent.
Mrs. Harley,
I pray the lord comforts you during this difficult time.
I met your Dad when I began teaching at Brownsville High School in 1967. We had the same lunch periods and our teaching pods were close together so we pretty much saw each other on a daily basis.
I left BHS and with my wife, Pat, helped open Porter High School in 1974.
The following year, I became an administrator with the Brownsville School District and renewed my acquaintance and friendship with your Dad through my joining the International Order of Alhambra in which he was the Grand Commander.
Before he went into the Texas Veterans Residence Home, he and I worked on many Alhambran related projects.
Evidently my voice is very recognizable as we surprised him at the Residence Home but he heard my voice before the group visited him. “I know that voice” he happily said as a group of showed up to see him.
Again, Ralph was a very hard working ,devout father, Catholic and human being. He will be missed. by all.
Rosie, I am so sorry for your loss. He seemed like such a wonderful man that gave so much.
Love
Aunt Denise
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