Mr. Heriberto (Beto or Herb) Ponce, left this world peacefully on November 24, 2017 to be with our Lord and Savior. He was 90 years young, born in Corpus Christi, Texas to Juan and Anita (Ramos) Ponce on March 16, 1927. He is preceded in death by his parents Juan and Anita Ponce, his sisters Mary Ponce and Juanita Hernandez, his daughter Elizabeth and son Saul Ponce. He is survived by his loving wife of 35 years Socorro Ponce, and daughter Sabrina Ponce, as well as son John Ponce and daughter Cindy Mizes from a previous marriage, and grandson Michael Mizes. Herb was a man of strong faith, who believed in the power and strength of Jesus Christ's love and the beauty and peace that would await him after his passing. He faithfully served his country as a Veteran in the United States Navy. Following his military service, he attended University of Houston and University of Texas at Austin and received his Bachelors of Business Administration & Management in Ethnic Studies from Texas A & I Corpus Christi. He served over 35 years in the Civil Service with the U.S. Government: U.S. N.A.S. Corpus Christi, Texas, U.S. Navy, Philippines, and Military Sealift Command including assignments in Europe, Asia, Mediterranean Sea, Bermuda, Ireland, Florida and Vietnam. Fun fact about Herb: While in Saigon, Vietnam he received a black-belt in Karate. Some of Herb's most influential work roles were as an Equal Opportunity Specialist and Hispanic Employment Program Manager in the Corpus Christi Army Depot (CCAD). He received many letters of commendation and certificates of achievement for his initiative, leadership and professionalism in improving the Hispanic Employment Program. Herb also served as an advocate and voice for Mexican American Veterans who often faced discrimination, inequities, and denial of medical and education benefits. He was awarded several certificates of merit for his leadership and contributions to the welfare of the American G.I. Forum, founded by Dr. Hector P. Garcia. Herb retired from CCAD in the late 1980's and devoted the rest of his life to being a full-time father and husband, as well as an avid sports fanatic. He was a dedicated and faithful Dallas Cowboys & San Antonio Spurs fan and never missed a game, despite his continual disappointments with his Cowboys. He kept his mind sharp by reading the newspaper, his bible, or books every single day, along with a game or two of solitaire. The Ponce family would like to express their gratitude to the staff at Angel Brite Hospice. Their dedication and effort to provide quality care over the last 3 weeks were a blessing to the entire family. We thank God for the gift of his life and the blessing of the time we spent with him.

A "Celebration of Life" service will be held on Thursday, November 30, 2017 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Guardian Funeral Home, followed by Burial Services with Military Honors at 1:00 p.m. at the Coastal Bend State Veterans Cemetery located at: 9974 Interstate 37 Access Rd, Corpus Christi, TX 78410