Joel Rendon

"Say not in grief: 'He is no more,' but live in thankfulness that he was." - Hebrew Proverb

WESLACO - Joel Rendon, a dedicated son, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend passed away to be with our Lord on Sunday, August 7, 2022. The influence he had on his family will endure forever.

Joel was born to Casimiro R. Rendon and Amelia Quintanilla Rendon on July 12, 1932 in Francitas, Texas. He graduated from Edinburg High School in 1951, and attended Pan American College and Texas A&I Kingsville with a major in Business Administration and Accounting. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and in the Army Reserve after his honorable discharge. In 1958, he married his beloved Estella Reyes and had two children.

Mr. Rendon worked for the U.S. Air Force in Harlingen for several years. After the base closed, he transferred to the Corpus Christi Army Depot where he was assigned as Chief of Disbursing Operations. At the height of the Vietnam War, the base held over 5,000 government employees. In 1974, Joel transferred to the U.S. Customs Services at the Progreso Port of Entry. Later he was promoted to Senior Inspector at the Hidalgo Port of Entry where he retired in December 1988.

Joel served our great country for 34 years. During his federal career, he received numerous awards and recognitions for his work. He was at the top of his class at the U.S. Customs Training Center in Hempstead, New York. In 1988, he was sent to Washington D.C. to assist in improving the U.S. Customs enforcement system and database known as TECS II.

With everything he accomplished in his 90 years, Mr. Rendon was most proud of his family's successes. Life-long learning and dedication to family and career were modeled and strongly encouraged.

Joel is preceded in death by his parents, his loving wife of 41 years Estella R. Rendon, his sister Elia Rendon Mancha, and brothers C.R. Rendon Jr. and Roberto Rendon.

He is survived by daughter Cynthia R. Montano (Rick), son Ronald J. Rendon (Irma), grandchildren Elise L. Pacheco (Kevin), Alex J. Loya (Amanda), and great-grandchildren Noah Patrick Pacheco and Stella Jude Pacheco. He is also survived by one brother Wylie D. Rendon (Alda), sisters Amy R. LaRock and Minnie R. Ortega, sisters-in-law Alfa G. Rendon (+C.R. Jr.), and Sylvia H. Rendon (+Roberto). He is also survived by a very dear friend Betty Escalon and her family who embraced him as one of their own.

Our family would like to thank the dedicated staff at Alfredo Gonzalez Texas State Veterans Home of McAllen for their compassionate care during Dad's final year of life.

Visitation for Mr. Rendon will take place on Thursday, August 11, 2022 from 3-9 p.m. with a rosary scheduled for 7 p.m. at McCaleb Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Pius X Catholic Church at 10 a.m. on August 12, 2022. Graveside Services will be held at 11 a.m. at Highland Memorial Cemetery.