Raul Cavazos Jr.

Raul Cavazos Jr. passed away on Friday, February 16, 2024, at Mid Valley Nursing and Rehab in Mercedes. Texas.

Raul was born and raised in Brownsville, Texas, the son and eldest child of Raul and Elisa Zepeda Cavazos. 

Raul received his early Education via Moye Military Academy in Castroville, Texas, St. Joseph's Academy in Brownsville, and ultimately finished his senior year at Brownsville High. 

Athletics and Education were always a big part of Raul's life as he had the propensity to succeed in both endeavors due to his parents' encouragement and drive to stand out. Raul participated on the football, basketball, and baseball teams during the early 50s at St. Joseph's Academy and was a senior at Brownsville High in 1956. He continued his athletic and academic endeavors at the University of Texas at Austin, participating on the baseball team and the first weightlifting team. He ultimately graduated and received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in 1960. 

Raul then joined the Army, serving in the 7th Infantry Division in Korea. Along the way, Raul(Sgt. Cavazos) was selected as an Officer Candidate for the U.S. Army Artillery and Missile Office School. He received recognition for his outstanding performance of duties in Headquarters Company 2nd Brigade. 

Raul then returned to civilian life and went on to pursue a professional career in Federal Probation, working with the U.S. District Courts, rising to the position of Deputy Chief, overseeing the Southern District, which encompassed the Laredo, Corpus, McAllen, and Brownsville areas.

Raul, "Junior," as his friends called him, was fluent in English and Spanish and even passed the Army's Foreign Language Proficiency test in French(He was able to figure out, due to some French classes he had taken as a young man, that the exam he took in Spanish ended up being the same test in French so the answers were the same). 

He enjoyed playing softball, slow and fast pitch, during the 70's, 80's, and 90's. He wanted an eclectic range of music, from Elvis and Frank Sinatra to Freddy Fender. In his later years, Raul enjoyed completing the word searches and jumbles from the New York Times and other prominent newspapers.

He was a great husband, father, and grandfather; of course, he will be deeply missed. We are so thankful for his 85 years and grateful that he remained faithful to God. Raul lived by the axiom Life is DEAR(Acronym) - DEAR being Diet, Exercise, Attitude, and Reverence/Rest.

Raul is preceded in death by his parents, Raul and Elisa Cavazos, and sisters, Elisa "Celeste" Mullen in 2020 and Vera Ticer in 2000. 

Raul is survived by his wife of 46 years, Brunilda "Bruni" Benavides Cavazos; his three sons, Marcos Andres Cavazos (Crystal) of Weslaco, Carlos Cavazos (Christina) of Edinburg, and Christopher Cavazos of Edinburg; grandchildren Dominique, Marcus, and Connor Cavazos, sister, Mary Lou Freiheit of Canyon Lake, Texas (Gene+), brothers in law, Patrick Mullen and Kenneth Ticer, and numerous nieces and nephews. 

Rest in Peace, Raul(Husband, Dad, Grandpa, Brother, Friend, Child of God). We love you.

Visitation will be on Friday, March 1, 2024, from 4 to 8 pm at McCaleb Funeral Home. There will be a blessing at 4 pm and military honors at 6 pm, followed by a celebration of life.