Luis Barrera, 73, passed away in Corpus Christi, Texas, on August 29, 2021, of complications from COVID.

Luis was born in Corpus Christi on October 7, 1947, but grew up in Alice, Texas, graduating from William Adams High School in 1967.  Luis was one of eight children born to Eluterio and Aurora Barrera, both deceased.

He served in the United States Air Force from 1968-1972 in the areas of communications and encryption and was stationed at Kadena, Okinawa.   He also assisted the Red Cross in helping military personnel wounded in Vietnam.

He married Yolanda Gallegos in Corpus Christi on November 4, 1972, and the couple raised two sons, Luis and George.

Luis retired from NAS-Corpus Christi on September 30, 2011, having served for almost 39 years in the Public Works Department in several positions, including maintenance supervisor, foreman, engineering technician, and electrician foreman. During his career, he received many honors, including the General Schedule Civilian of the Year award and the Professional of the Year award representing the military support service industry. He also received numerous commendations during his career for Outstanding Performance.

Luis loved his family, especially his grandchildren, and treasured the time spent with them.  He loved his morning walks at Padre-Staples Mall (now La Palmera Mall) and his evening walks with his wife around the Lexington Park neighborhood.  Traveling was a favorite pastime for both Luis and Yolanda. Luis especially enjoyed being outdoors and took special care to keep his front and back yards well-manicured.

During the pandemic, he was a dedicated servant in church activities, especially distributing food boxes from the Feed America program and being in service to others. He will be deeply missed by his family, neighbors, work colleagues, and friends.

Left to cherish his memories are his wife, Yolanda; sons Luis Barrera (Sandie) of Corpus Christi and George Barrera of San Antonio; and grandchildren Tristan Barrera, Xia Lara, Ariel Tacito, and Albert Guerrero.

Other survivors include his brothers and sisters Eluterio (Guadalupe) Barrera, Yolanda (Enrique) Perez, Enede (Lucinda) Barrera, Ela (Alex) Saenz, Beatrice (Lupe) Resendez, Rene Barrera; and sister-in-law Alicia (Apolonio) Barrera.  Luis' parents and his brother Gilbert Barrera pre-deceased him.

Luis is also survived by one brother-in-law, Joe Gallegos (Alma) and five sisters-in-law, Manuela Estelle, Norma Lopez (Filemon), Lupe Hernandez (Chico), Linda Mihoin (Joe), and Christina Koshnobish.