CORPUS CHRISTI / WESLACO - Rafael Raul Cabaza, Jr., 77 passed away on Saturday, April 18, 2015 at Memorial Herman Hospital: Heart & Vascular Institute in Houston. He was born to Raul and Maria S. Cabaza on September 21, 1937. He is preceded in death by his parents and wife of 35 years, Gloria Champion Cabaza. He graduated from Corpus Christi Academy and received a Business Administration Degree from Pan American College.
Early in his career he joined the Weslaco Independent School District, where he was a math teacher, an Assistant Principal at Weslaco High School and Business Manager. He also worked in the Savings & Loan industry, and spent many years as an entrepreneur. His ventures included a family clothing store, and a construction company. He rejoined the Weslaco Independent School district where he served as the Building, Maintenance & Transportation Director until his retirement.
In 1996, he married Aida (Maggie) Morales and moved to Corpus Christi where he has lived for the past 19 years. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, cars, and word puzzles but his greatest joy was spending time with his family especially, the grandkids!
Survivors include his wife Aida (Maggie) Cabaza of Corpus Christi, three sons, Raul Cabaza, III (Cynthia) of Weslaco, Aaron J. Cabaza (Norma) of Austin, David O. Cabaza (Judy Ann) of San Antonio, his daughter Judith Cabaza-Perez (Romeo) of Austin, step-son John Anthony Morales of Kingsville, his sister Emma C. Guerrero (Oton) of Mission, 8 grandchildren, 1 granddaughter-in-law, and 1 great grandson with another on the way.
Visitation is set for Thursday, April 23, 2015 from 5pm to 9pm with a 7pm rosary at McCaleb Funeral Home in Weslaco. Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, April 24, 2015, 2pm at St. Pius Catholic Church in Weslaco with Interment to follow at Highland Memorial Park Cemetery in Weslaco.
Pallbearers include his grandson’s: Joshua J. Cabaza, Timothy M. Cabaza, Aaron R. Perez, Christian A. Cabaza, Adam J. Cabaza and step-son John A. Morales.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Su Casa Esperanza PO Box 1333 Pharr, TX 78577 or Fountain of Mercy Ministries, 3701 S. Westgate Dr. Weslaco, TX 78596.
Funeral arrangements are under the care of McCaleb Funeral Home, 900 West Fourth Street, Weslaco, Texas.