Ignacio Elizondo

Edinburg – Ignacio Elizondo, 91, faithful servant of God, devoted family man, and gentle soul who was kind to everyone he met, passed away peacefully at his home in Edinburg, Texas on April 13, 2025, surrounded by his beloved family. Born on February 1, 1934, Ignacio lived a life that was the epitome of a life lived honorably, grounded in faith and love. He truly was a blessing to his family, friends and community.

Ignacio first saw the love of his life, Hortencia Garza, as he was driving to church in Weslaco, Texas on a crisp fall day in October of 1958. It was love at first sight for both of them. Ignacio, the hopeless romantic that he was, proposed to Hortencia four months later on Valentine's Day of 1959, and the couple was married six weeks later in a beautiful ceremony at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church.

The happy couple made Weslaco their home, and they raised their six children there. Their home was vibrant, filled with laughter, good times, great food and boundless love. It became the place where their children and their children's friends congregated, filling the home with laughter and creating memories that they still cherish today.

Ignacio’s work ethic is legendary and not just because he worked until the age of 91. His work ethic is legendary because of all that he did to provide for and take care of his family. While Hortencia worked hard as a stay-at-home mom, he worked hard outside the home, often at more than one job, to ensure his family had everything they needed and, often, what they wanted. His work, however, did not stop when he returned home at the end of the business day. Together with his wife, Ignacio cared for his parents in their home when they became old and infirm, and he did so willingly and without hesitation, just as he did when his younger brother became ill and found himself without a home.

Ignacio also had a quiet strength about him. His wife and children always knew they could count on him as he was always able to do what needed to be done to provide for his family while adhering to the strict moral code with which he was raised. He never compromised his values, and he taught his children that it was better to go without if the alternative was only to be achieved by doing something morally wrong.

His strong sense of morality was deeply rooted in his faith. Ignacio was a devout Catholic who lived his faith, and together with Hortencia, he shared that faith with his children and raised them in the Church. It was one of the greatest gifts he gave his children, and he was able to see his children pass that gift on to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. This brought him great happiness.

Ignacio’s love for his family was unconditional, nurturing, supportive and loyal. His love for Hortencia and their six children never wavered. He cared for, supported and encouraged the members of his family in each and every endeavor they pursued, attending countless school assemblies, football games, band concerts and the celebration of the Holy Sacraments at church. Ignacio also believed that family loyalty was paramount, and he instilled that belief in his children, making the family strong and unified.

Ignacio believed his children should be resolute and able to discern right from wrong, and he showed that in the way in which he guided them through decision-making and through hard times. He would ask them questions that were intended to make them think and then come to a decision on their own, teaching them to be independent thinkers who relied on their own judgment and who were not easily swayed.

Through his actions and his words, Ignacio also taught his son the importance of being a good provider and protector, and he is. Ignacio also taught his daughters to be fearless and independent, and they are. He also taught his children to love and care for their mom, Hortencia, and they do and always will.

Another thing Ignacio taught his family was his love of baseball which began when he was a child. He learned to play early in life and played for his high school team, the mighty Weslaco High School Panthers. He played catcher, and he was incredibly talented. Ignacio had the opportunity to play baseball professionally, but he chose to remain close to home to help support his parents. He remained connected to his favorite sport by following his favorite team, the New York Yankees, and he remained a Yankees fan until the end. One of his favorite memories was attending a baseball game in Dallas to watch the New York Yankees play the Texas Rangers. It meant so much to him to experience that with his family, and it meant a great deal to his children to be able to make that happen for him.

Ignacio also loved to go fishing, and he enjoyed taking his family with him, including his nephew, Jesse De La Garza, whenever he was in town. Some of Ignacio’s favorite days were spent on the Jetties at South Padre Island, casting his line and enjoying the warmth of the South Texas sun while taking in the natural beauty around him.

Ignacio was highly intelligent, and he had an amazing ability with math. He worked in the lumber yard business for most of his life, and he was able to tell a customer exactly how much lumber and other materials they would need, often by doing the math in his head. It was truly a sight to see. He also had a sharp, quick wit and a sense of humor that could fill a room with laughter. He was known for his jokes, and he could light up a room with his one-liners and witty comebacks. That wit and sense of humor will be sorely missed.

Ignacio left us a rich legacy of honor, faith and love, and his legacy will live on in our hearts forever and will be remembered through the love he had for his family and through the wonderful memories he left with each of us. He is preceded in death by his parents, Jesus and Isabel (Perez) Elizondo, his daughter, Carolina Elizondo Sidhu, his siblings, Soledad Elizondo De La Garza and Jesus Elizondo, Jr., and his grandson Anthony Ignacio Elizondo.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Hortencia, five children, Ignacio Elizondo, Jr. (Natalie), Maria Elizondo McCoy, Becky Elizondo, Lydia Elizondo Mount (William), and Erica Elizondo, grandchildren, Valerie (Paul), Jessica, Victoria (Daniel), Emma, Stacey, Christine, Sarah (Lance), Alyssa, Angela (Stephen), Andrew, and Michael Edward (Karen), great-grandchildren Paige, Bethany, Connor, Kenna, Evan, Evy, Aiden, and Chloe and numerous nieces and nephews.