Carlos Noriega

Mercedes- Carlos Noriega, 46, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Tuesday, August 9th, 2016. Carlos was born on February 20th, to Pedro and Estefana Noriega. He had 3 brothers, Pedro Jr., Martin, and Ricardo, and one sister, Patsy. He went to school in Mercedes through elementary and high school. It was during this time when God would bring him to meet the love of his life, Isabel. They were only in high school, but they met at church, the Iglesia Bautista in Mercedes and God has been an important part of their marriage and family since then. Carlos and Isabel were married on December 16th, 1989. That fall, 1989, Carlos enlisted in the army and would be transferred to Fort Drum, New York, where the couple would spend the next 4 years. Carlos was very proud of this part of his life. Carlos loved to serve our county. He was an Infantry man for the 10th Mountain Division, Bravo Company, 2/87th and he served on many missions. He always cherished this time of his life and was proud and honored to serve. He and Isabel would find their way back to Mercedes in 1993. Carlos began working for Texas A&I helping adults learn English at the Esquisita Tortilla Factory in Mercedes. The couple prayed for children, but God had other plans. They were able to spend eleven years as a couple without children, cherishing each other and falling more in love. God blessed them with their first born, Benjamin Caleb on July 3rd, 2001. Two years later they had Josiah Mathew and then a baby girl, Hannah Grace, who Carlos often referred to as his "Queen". Carlos would support his family while serving others. He worked for Sylvan Learning out of Lyford ISD, helping students with ACT. He was the first PE Coach for IDEA Academy in Donna. He will likely be remembered most for the last twelve years, where he worked for Mercedes ISD. The majority of this time was spent at Ruben Hinojosa Elementary. Carlos would do anything the school or students needed. He was always Santa Clause, the Easter Bunny or anything else the school asked for or could dream up. His saying was "I'll do anything for the kids" and he did just that. He was the PTO President at his sons' school. He always helped with the Festival of Lights Parade, where, again, he dressed as Santa Clause. He was in charge and helped with many fundraisers and was well known for all of the money he helped raise. Carlos was a model employee, literally doing "whatever it took." One of his proudest accomplishments was when he began organizing, along with a campus music teacher, a Veteran's Day Program at Hinojosa Elementary. He would invite all sorts of people with military backgrounds to come be a part of the program as guest speakers or any other capacity. He wanted the students to appreciate their freedoms that they enjoy in our great country. He also wanted to thank those who made the choice to serve and of course, those who paid the ultimate sacrifice. When he wasn't volunteering, he loved to barbeque. He also enjoyed western movies. He loved football, anyone but the Cowboys. He was a big Notre Dame fan and Texas Longhorn fan and no matter what, he cheered for the Black Nights. He especially loved to watch the Longhorns vs OU Sooners annual rivalry game. As soon as the game was over he was on the phone teasing his Oklahoma friends. Ofcourse, being a Mercedes boy, he bled orange. He loved the Mercedes Tigers and supported his nephews on the football team. Carlos also loved music, 80s, of course. He enjoyed traveling. He went on many trips with the family, lots of theme parks and visiting friends and relatives. He took the kids two summers ago to visit his army base in Fort Drum, New York. He also loved sweets and baked goods, especially Gloria's Christmas cookies, which he asked for even when he was on life support. Carlos also wanted to further his education, as he enlisted in the army right out of high school. Somehow, through all of this, fighting a heart condition, supporting and loving his wife, raising his children, raising other children and serving his Lord and Savior, he found the time to go back to school and earn his associates degree, which he completed in May. He most certainly would have continued. Above all else, Carlos was a child of God. He had become an ordained deacon at the First Baptist Church in the early 90s and he would continue his walk with Christ. He exemplified this throughout his short, yet full life. He served. In every aspect and throughout his life, Carlos served others. He and his household served the Lord and he was a great role model for his children and others. Carlos is survived by his wife of 26 years, Isabel, his children, Benjamin Caleb, Josiah Matthew, and Hannah Grace Noriega, his parents, Pedro and Estefana Noriega of Mercedes, his brothers, Pedro Noriega Jr. (Laura) of Weslaco, Martin Noriega (Mary Ann) of Oklahoma City, Ricardo Noriega (Mimi) of Mercedes, and his sister, Patsy Castillo (Fernando) of Mercedes, his father and mother in law, Regino and Maria Ramos, of Weslaco, brother in law, Juan Ramos (Gloria), of Weslaco, and Sandra Ramos of Weslaco, numerous nieces and nephews. Carlos will always be remembered as a soul full of life and joy. Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 11th, from 12-9pm, with a prayer service at 7pm. Another visitation will be held at the First Baptist Church of Weslaco from 9am-12pm, with a funeral service at 12pm, with Rev. Steve Parker officiating. Burial will follow at the Veterans Cemetery in Mission. For those who would like to make monetary contributions, this is available through First Baptist Church of Weslaco. https://onrealm.org/firstbaptistweslaco/Give/DRUQUOQZNM.