Augustin "Gus" Leija Rivera, 81, surrounded by his family and their love, passed away peacefully, on Monday, April 11, 2022, at his home in Corpus Christi, Texas.

He began his extraordinary life on October 2, 1940, in the humblest of settings, a barn just north of Port Lavaca, Texas. His father, Enrique Cortez Rivera, took the family to West Texas to pick cotton, but left his mother, Rafaela Leija Rivera, who was pregnant and soon due, at an uncle's farm, where he was born.

Early life was challenging as the family survived by working in the fields of South Texas, doing seasonal farm work, and moving from farm to farm. His mother bore 11 children, but three did not survive birth. Eventually, the family moved into the big city of Driscoll (population 301), and from the day Gus was old enough to work in the fields, until his passing, there was never a day when he was not working.

Despite growing up with limited resources, there was always good food to eat (he loved his mother's cooking!) and brothers, sisters, cousins, and friends who loved to laugh and have fun. The bonds and love of family and dear friendships remained strong for Gus and terrifically charismatic throughout his life, he could instantly be-friend a stranger. And he always, without exception, put family first.

Gus attended public schools in Driscoll and loved learning, especially music class, and he made friendships that lasted a lifetime. But as a student in a segregated school system, he was acutely aware of the systemic discrimination that kept Mexican Americans from educational advancement. Instead of deterring him, however, the experience would shape and motivate him throughout his life to always work (and fight, if necessary) to make things better, to never settle for less, to never accept being told something couldn't be done, and to never give up.

In 1961, in one of life's "lightning bolt" moments, he met a green-eyed beauty at a party in Alice, Texas, named Carolina Rangel and right then he knew she was the one. They both fell in love and married shortly thereafter. Gus was working at a service station in Driscoll at the time and while they didn't have any money, they had plenty of love and hope and this would carry them through good times and bad for the next 29 years.

Three children were borne of the loving marriage, Augie, Tom, and Sandi. They were everything to Gus and he devoted himself completely to his kids. He was their mentor, best friend, and number one cheerleader and he always made sure that they never went without. He was most proud that every one of his children blessed him with grandchildren and that all of them are (or will be) a college graduate. Education was paramount to Gus and the list of universities attended by his family include: North Texas State, Our Lady of the Lake, Stanford Law School, Texas A & I, Texas A & M, Texas State, University of Texas, University of Texas School of Law, and Yale. Gus would frequently say that he was "living the American Dream!"

In 1990, when the love of his life, Carolina, was unexpectedly taken by cancer, Gus struggled with life's twisted curve ball, but he made a promise to Carolina before she passed that he would remain strong for their children and would always be there for them, and until his last breath, he stayed true to that promise.

Gus was also deeply committed to community service throughout his life and while living in Driscoll, he made a lasting impact as a long-time Little League baseball and basketball coach, Cubmaster, and Scoutmaster. He also served as President of the St. James Catholic Church Men's Club, Bishop/Driscoll Little League, the Driscoll PTA, and the Driscoll School Board. Decades later, many of the players Gus coached in baseball still reverently called him "Coach" when seeing him in public. He was always proud to point out that the modernizing of the Driscoll School buildings and the hiring of energetic and visionary personnel took place while he was on the Driscoll School Board.

As part of his lifelong drive to always improve himself, Gus enrolled in and graduated from the Del Mar College Police Science and Criminal Justice program, became a Certified Law Enforcement Officer, and served as a Deputy Constable in the Bishop/Driscoll area in the early 1980s.

This led to the opportunity of a lifetime for Gus when he applied for the Court Bailiff position with State District Judge Max Bennett of the 319th District Court and was called in for an interview. Dashing, confident, and personable, Gus explained his background, qualifications, and desire to serve as a Court Bailiff to Judge Bennett. The Judge, who had already made up his mind 15 minutes into the interview, had only one question for Gus: "When can you start?" That was the beginning of an exceptional career as a Court Bailiff at the Nueces County Courthouse, where he worked for Judge Bennett for 15 years and forged a special friendship with him that lasted until the end of Gus' life. After Judge Bennett retired, Gus worked as the Bailiff for Judge Ida Brazell of the Title IV-D Master's Court and always appreciated the special relationship he established with her.

Gus made many, many other true friendships with the lawyers who came to the Courthouse, and he was well-regarded by the Bar for his exemplary professionalism, genuine collegiality, and uncanny knack for being able to predict a jury verdict. He earned the unofficial moniker, "the 13th Juror," and he made sure the lawyers appearing in the 319th District Court were familiar with his cardinal rules of professionalism: "Shine your shoes," "Show up prepared," "Always accept the Court's ruling with respect," and "Never, never show up late."

Gus retired from the County in 2003 and from then until his death, he continued to live life "con mucho animo" and spent as much time as possible with his beloved 8 grandchildren, one great-granddaughter and 5 cherished chihuahuas.

Over the past 4 years, Gus fought a truly heroic and painful battle with Parkinson's until he couldn't anymore. But, even at the end, he taught us all the virtue of never giving up and that life's joys are always worth fighting for. A person of faith for his entire life (he was an Altar Boy growing up!), Gus believed he would ultimately be reunited with his beloved Carolina, but his indomitable spirit kept him from "going gentle into that good night" and he "rage[d], rage[d] against the dying of the light." In the end, though, as he began to accept his well-earned rest, he passed with family present and the words of 2 Timothy 4:6-8 and the lyrics of "I Can See Clearly Now" to guide him home.

Gus was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 29 years, Carolina; his parents, Enrique and Rafaela, and siblings, Maximino, Lucia, and Margarita. He is survived by his children, Augustin, Jr., (Julianna), Thomas Ray (Mary Ann), and Sandra Kay; grandchildren, Cassandra (Aziz), Thomas (Alyssa), Carolina (Jeffrey), Miguel, Pablo, Jorge, Zachary, and Noah; great granddaughter, Emersyn; sisters, Maria Louisa, Enedina and Marcelina, brother, Enrique, Jr.; and beloved chihuahua, Dulce.

The family wishes to note their deepest gratitude and love for Esmeralda Rivera, Gus' ever faithful companion after the passing of his beloved Carolina, and devoted grandmother to his grandchildren. Her steadfast loyalty and extraordinary, compassionate efforts in attending to Gus over the past 4 years will never be forgotten.

The family would also like to especially thank Gus' neighbors (and dear friends) Mike, Martha and Jerry Elizondo for their dear friendship and kindness; Dr. Abimael Perez and his staff for their decades of service; and the special nurses and caregivers at Serenity and Grace Hospice who provided remarkable and compassionate attention to Gus as he neared the finish line.

A Holy Rosary will be recited on Friday, April 22, at 7:00 pm at St Thomas More Church, 2045 18th St, CC, TX , with family visitation beginning at 6:00 pm. A Funeral Mass will take place on Saturday, April 23 , at 10:00 am, at the Corpus Christi Cathedral, 5 05 N. Upper Broadway, CC, TX , with a Reception immediately to follow at the Nueces County Courthouse, 901 Leopard St , Corpus Christi, TX.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in the memory of Augustin "Gus" Rivera to the Del Mar College Foundation, 101 Baldwin Blvd., Corpus Christi, TX 78404; ALSAC/St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105; Gulf Coast Humane Society, 3118 Cabaniss Rd, Corpus Christi, TX 78415; or to the charity of your choice.