Eloy R. Alaniz

Weslaco-Eloy R. Alaniz, a lifelong resident of Weslaco, died peacefully in his sleep on Wednesday, February 17, 2016, at his home where he lived for 41 years. He was 77 years old.

Eloy was born on July 5, 1938, the eldest of six. The patriarch of the Alaniz family, he was a 1957 graduate of Weslaco High School, where he played baseball for the Weslaco Panthers and was involved with Pan American Forum. He joined the U.S. Army during Vietnam and was a member of the U.S. Army Reserves stationed at Fort Polk, Louisiana. He left college before graduating, but he would later return to complete his degree and proudly graduate from the University of Texas – Pan American in 1996 at the age of 58.

Eloy married his high school sweetheart Guadalupe Velasquez. Their marriage would last for 23 years until her death in 1988 at the age of 50. She was his one true love, and for the next 27 years he remained steadfast in that love and never remarried.

Eloy and his wife lived in Weslaco where he began a long career in banking and finance. He held various positions at local banks and savings and loan associations. Eloy had a lifetime of service. He was Co-Chairman of the Salvation Army Annual Fund Drive, Co-founder and President of the Board of Directors Boys and Girls Club of Weslaco, Chairman of the Board of the Weslaco Planning and Zoning Commission for 25 years, a member of the Board of Directors of the Weslaco Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Citizen’s Advisory Committee for the Weslaco Police Department, Treasurer of the Class of 1957 20th Class Reunion, an Advisory Board member for Mary Hoge Junior High, a member of the Weslaco Ambassadors “Red Coats,” Vice President of the Weslaco Little League, a Weslaco Little League Coach from 1979-82, Treasurer of the 50th Anniversary Celebration of St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, a member of the Weslaco Lion’s Club Board of Directors, a member of the Advisory Board of the American Lung Association of Texas, Treasurer of the School Bond Committee, a member of the Community Education Council, a member of the City Bond Committee, and Chairman of the Board of the Weslaco Catholic Federal Credit Union.

Eloy was inducted into the Rio Grande Valley Walk of Fame in February 2012, in honor and celebration of his achievements and significant civic contributions. His children attended the event to celebrate this major recognition with him. After retiring from banking, he worked for the City of Weslaco for a short period. In his later years, he was involved with the organization Amigos Del Valle, whose mission is to improve the quality of life of low-income families in the Rio Grande Valley and to assist the elder population, issues about which he felt strongly. He remained an active volunteer until recently.

Eloy took particular pride in the accomplishments of his children and grandchildren. His daughters and youngest son hold degrees from the University of Texas, and his oldest son graduated from University of Notre Dame. In December 2015, Eloy attended his oldest granddaughter’s graduation from the University of Texas at Austin for which he was most proud. He instilled in his children the importance of faith, family, education, the obligation to speak out against injustice, the duty to give back to the community, and he gave them his unqualified love and support. He was a part in so many ways in his grandchildren’s lives, especially by attending sporting events. He will be missed by each of them.

Eloy is survived by his daughter Cynthia and her husband Gavin Villareal, of Austin; his daughter Jo Elda and her husband Eugenio Castillo, of Kingsville; his son Eloy Jr. and his wife Janie, of Weslaco; his son Rene and his wife Mindy, of Austin; and his grandchildren Laura, Ana, Michael, Andrew, Daniel, Henry, Julia, and Ericka. He is also survived by his sister Natalia Martinez; his sister Ofelia and her husband Manuel Sloss; his sister Delia and her husband Amado Cruz; his brother Marcelino Alaniz and his wife Eliza; his brother Jim Alaniz; and many nieces and nephews. The family wishes to thank their aunts and uncles for the love and support of their dad over the years.