It is with great sorrow that the family of Hector Dovalina shares his passing on July 30, 2025 at the age of 75 in his hometown of Corpus Christi, Texas. Our beloved brother, husband, father, grand and great grandfather, cousin, and loyal friend was born on July 13,1950 in Laredo Texas to Benjamin G. and Pauline Dovalina. The family later relocated to Corpus Christi where his father began a long time career at the Corpus Christi Army Depot. Raised in a loving family of 6 children (and many cousins), Hector attended Prescott Elementary, Cunningham Jr. High, and graduated from Foy H. Moody High School in 1969.

Hector was also a dedicated musician and recording artist, spending over 58 years in the Tejano music industry. He began playing his bass guitar when he was 16, and started playing with local Tejano bands at 17. His musical career began when he played bass guitar with the Uniques (1967-68), a group of local teenage boys who practiced after school in his dad's garage. In 1969, the Johnny Canales Orchestra came together with Hector playing bass guitar. Over the years, he also played with local bands The LeMans, La Herencia, Rico Guajardo and Pura Vida Band (70s), Rudy Alvarado, Abel Perez, La Onda Airways, the Canales brothers from Kingsville, Libertad (80s) Joe Carmona (Wajo) and Quemado Band, Johnny Vasquez y Grupo Badd, and Latin Heritage with Johnny Vasquez from 2009 until he retired as a studio musician in 2014. During his extensive musical career, Hector also had the privilege and unique experience of playing with members of the Las Vegas RAT PACK. Aside from the many performances, he also recorded with many artists and record labels including, Guti, Zarape, Bego Records, Hacienda, and Q Production. His deep Tejano roots branched out to other genres that he was well versed in including Jazz, Rae Gea, Rhythm and Blues, Rock & Roll, and The Standards.

Hector also served his country honorably and was a proud veteran. After his honorable discharge, he continued his musical career picking up where he left off. He also worked at the Corpus Christi Army Depot for 31 years (1975 to retirement in 2006) and continued playing his bass guitar through the next 8 years. In 2011, he was diagnosed with Parkinsons disease and although he could no longer play his bass guitar in the final stages, his love for music never ended. In 2023, Hector was inducted into the Tejano Roots Hall of Fame and he was honored to be among many of his fellow muscians. For Hector, it was a joy and privilege to have contributed so many of his life years to music alongside many wonderful musicians he befriended along the way. He will forever be the Legend.

Preceded in death by his parents and cherished brother Benjamin Jr., Hector is survived by his wife of 25 years, Kay Dovalina (Davis), his son, Michael (Tracy), siblings Gloria (George) Garcia, Delia Dovalina, Thelma (Ysreal) Hernandez, Corina (Luis) Garcia, and numerous nieces and nephews. His love and legacy continues through his grand/great children of whom he was so very proud. The Dovalina family was raised with cousins (Ramirez, Hernandez, and Olvera) as extended family/siblings and together we salute and say our final goodbyes to Hector.

Services will be held on Thursday, September 4, at 11:00 a.m. at the Coastal Bend Veterans Cemetery located at 9974 I-37, Corpus Christi, Texas.