Samuel Vela

Samuel Vela, 89, passed away at his residence on Saturday, June 30, 2018.  Samuel was born on November 15, 1928 in Brownsville, Texas to Ygnacio and Angela Robles Vela. He proudly served as a Corporal in the United States Army during the Korean War and was awarded the Korean Service Medal with two bronze stars, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Good Conduct Medal, and the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation Badge.

He enjoyed many hobbies including tracing the Vela family tree, writing poems, dancing, listening to music, playing Loteria, raising farm animals, hosting family gatherings, auto mechanics, welding, construction and entrepreneurship. Samuel was employed as a bus driver with the Brownsville C.I.S.D. for 20 years.  He was a member of the Disciples of Christ church.

Samuel was preceded in death by his wife, Angelita Gracia Vela; daughter, Sonia Sarah Vela; parents, Ygnacio and Angela R. Vela; brothers, Salvador Vela, Ignacio Vela, Jr., and Saul Vela; sisters, Sara Muniz, Simona Roca, Sofia Saenz, and Angela de la Fuente.

He is survived by his sister, Zoila Vela of Brownsville; his children, Sylvia Harrison of Beaumont, Texas, Sandra Vela of San Benito, Sulema Gronnevik of San Antonio, Samuel (Alma) Vela, Jr of San Benito, Selma Whiting of San Antonio, Selina (Agustin) de la Fuente of Brownsville, Salvador Vela of Texas, Simon Vela of Donna, and Shelly Moore of Conroe; 26 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren.

Samuel’s family will be receiving friends and relatives on Monday, July 2, 2018 from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM at San Benito Funeral Home. Visitation will continue on Tuesday July 3,2018, 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.  A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 3, 2018 at San Benito Funeral Home Chapel.  He will be laid to rest at Mont Meta Memorial Park with Full Military Honors.

Honored to serve as pallbearers will be, Jason Vela, Jay Suarez, Agustin de la Fuente, III, Salvador Vela, Gerardo Vela and Eric Vela.

Arrangements have been entrusted to San Benito Funeral Home, 1400 W. Business 77, San Benito, TX.  (956) 361-9192  www.sanbenitofuneralhome.com