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IN LOVING MEMORY OF
Manuel G.
(Mel) Chapa
December 20, 1925 – May 21, 2013
Obituary
Manuel G Chapa
Corpus Christi, TX
Manuel G. (Mel) Chapa, retired rancher passed from this life on May 21, 2013 surrounded by family. He was born December 20, 1925 in Salineno, Texas.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Lazaro and Nicolasa Chapa, his brothers, Hector, Leonel, and Lazaro, Jr., his loving wife of 43 years, Gloria Saenz Chapa, and his second wife, Bertha R. Chapa.
He is survived by his four children, Nora Emerson (Dallas) and her children, Javier A. Avila(Marina), Joy Rodriguez(Danny), his son Javier N. Chapa (Corpus) and his wife Laura and their children, Javier R. Chapa and Bianca M. Chapa, Gloria Peterson (Houston) and her husband Jay and their children, Jayla and Alissa Peterson, Manuel Chapa, Jr., (Liberty Hill) and his wife Geneve and two great grandchildren, Noah Rodriguez, and Cade Lucas Avila. Also surviving him are his brother Victor Chapa (Hebbronville) (Hilda), his sisters, Elva Gonzales, Mary Alaniz, Olga Caballero (Amador), Arcadia Gonzales (Cleofas) and Juanita Sosa (Lolo) all of Benevides, Texas and one brother-in-law, Vicente Saenz (Olga) of Cruz Calle, Texas.
Mr. Chapa graduated from Benavides High School in 1944 and helped lead the Eagles to an undefeated season winning District, Bi District, and the regional 10-A Championship which was the highest attainable title for a Class A school. He was recognized as an All District and All Regional running back and he also played guard for the Eagle basketball team which won the Regional 10-A championship and played in the State of Texas High School Basketball Tournament in Austin, Texas.
After graduation, he was inducted in the United States Army and received his basic training in Little Rock, Arkansas and Columbus, Georgia (Fort Benning) where he qualified for his sharp shooter badge and parachute wings. He was assigned to the 17th Airborne Division 'Thunder from Heaven', 513th Parachute Infantry Regiment, Company H. and was shipped to England. His unit was deployed to France, Belgium and Germany. After hostilities ceased, he was assigned as a supply sergeant at a German P.O.W. camp near Paris, France where he served during the Occupation period until November 1946. For his honorable service during WWII, Mr. Chapa was awarded: two bronze campaign stars, a combat infantry badge, and the following medals, American Campaign Medal, WWII Victory Medal, Europe-Africa-Middle East Campaign Medal, Army of Occupation WWII Medal and a Good Conduct Medal. He also received the United States Air Force Commendation Medal for his service in the Air Force during 1958-1962.
Mr. Chapa retired from the Corpus Christi Army Depot (ARADMAC) in 1985 after 30 years of combined civil service. He was active in his community and served as chairman of the board of the Boys Club of America, President of the Moody High School Athletic Booster Club, Precinct Chairman of Precinct 74 for many years, and coached youth baseball teams on the Westside of Corpus Christi. He was a life member (44) years of 'Bill Roper Post #364 in Corpus. Mr. Chapa loved working on his ranch in Cruz Calle, Texas and preferred spending time at the ranch to city life. Mr. Chapa was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. His example of hard work and community service set a high standard of success for his family to follow. His humor, quick wit and ability to make his point will be dearly missed by all who knew him.
The family wishes to express our thanks and sincere gratitude to the staff of Garden Estates Assisted Living Community and Odyssey Hospice for the loving and professional care given to our father.
The family will be receiving friends and relatives at 3:00 p.m. Monday, May 27, 2013 at Guardian funeral home 5922 Crosstown, S.H. 286, Corpus Christi, Texas. with a rosary recited at 7:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, May 28, 2013 at Most Precious Blood Catholic church, at 3502 Saratoga, Corpus Christi, Tx. Burial will follow at The Coastal Bend State Veterans Cemetery at 9974 IH 37 Acess Road Corpus Christi, Texas 78410.
Pallbearers will be Javier A. Avila, Javier R. Chapa, Manuel F. Saenz, Victor Gonzales, Hugo Chapa, Arnold Alaniz, Gabriel Saenz, Leo Chapa, Jr., Cleofas Gonzales,Jr., F.O. Chapa, and Daniel Chapa.
To leave condolences visit wwwguardianfhcremation.com or caller.com
Originally published Sunday, May 26, 2013
Scripps Interactive Newspapers
Corpus Christi, TX
Manuel G. (Mel) Chapa, retired rancher passed from this life on May 21, 2013 surrounded by family. He was born December 20, 1925 in Salineno, Texas.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Lazaro and Nicolasa Chapa, his brothers, Hector, Leonel, and Lazaro, Jr., his loving wife of 43 years, Gloria Saenz Chapa, and his second wife, Bertha R. Chapa.
He is survived by his four children, Nora Emerson (Dallas) and her children, Javier A. Avila(Marina), Joy Rodriguez(Danny), his son Javier N. Chapa (Corpus) and his wife Laura and their children, Javier R. Chapa and Bianca M. Chapa, Gloria Peterson (Houston) and her husband Jay and their children, Jayla and Alissa Peterson, Manuel Chapa, Jr., (Liberty Hill) and his wife Geneve and two great grandchildren, Noah Rodriguez, and Cade Lucas Avila. Also surviving him are his brother Victor Chapa (Hebbronville) (Hilda), his sisters, Elva Gonzales, Mary Alaniz, Olga Caballero (Amador), Arcadia Gonzales (Cleofas) and Juanita Sosa (Lolo) all of Benevides, Texas and one brother-in-law, Vicente Saenz (Olga) of Cruz Calle, Texas.
Mr. Chapa graduated from Benavides High School in 1944 and helped lead the Eagles to an undefeated season winning District, Bi District, and the regional 10-A Championship which was the highest attainable title for a Class A school. He was recognized as an All District and All Regional running back and he also played guard for the Eagle basketball team which won the Regional 10-A championship and played in the State of Texas High School Basketball Tournament in Austin, Texas.
After graduation, he was inducted in the United States Army and received his basic training in Little Rock, Arkansas and Columbus, Georgia (Fort Benning) where he qualified for his sharp shooter badge and parachute wings. He was assigned to the 17th Airborne Division 'Thunder from Heaven', 513th Parachute Infantry Regiment, Company H. and was shipped to England. His unit was deployed to France, Belgium and Germany. After hostilities ceased, he was assigned as a supply sergeant at a German P.O.W. camp near Paris, France where he served during the Occupation period until November 1946. For his honorable service during WWII, Mr. Chapa was awarded: two bronze campaign stars, a combat infantry badge, and the following medals, American Campaign Medal, WWII Victory Medal, Europe-Africa-Middle East Campaign Medal, Army of Occupation WWII Medal and a Good Conduct Medal. He also received the United States Air Force Commendation Medal for his service in the Air Force during 1958-1962.
Mr. Chapa retired from the Corpus Christi Army Depot (ARADMAC) in 1985 after 30 years of combined civil service. He was active in his community and served as chairman of the board of the Boys Club of America, President of the Moody High School Athletic Booster Club, Precinct Chairman of Precinct 74 for many years, and coached youth baseball teams on the Westside of Corpus Christi. He was a life member (44) years of 'Bill Roper Post #364 in Corpus. Mr. Chapa loved working on his ranch in Cruz Calle, Texas and preferred spending time at the ranch to city life. Mr. Chapa was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. His example of hard work and community service set a high standard of success for his family to follow. His humor, quick wit and ability to make his point will be dearly missed by all who knew him.
The family wishes to express our thanks and sincere gratitude to the staff of Garden Estates Assisted Living Community and Odyssey Hospice for the loving and professional care given to our father.
The family will be receiving friends and relatives at 3:00 p.m. Monday, May 27, 2013 at Guardian funeral home 5922 Crosstown, S.H. 286, Corpus Christi, Texas. with a rosary recited at 7:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, May 28, 2013 at Most Precious Blood Catholic church, at 3502 Saratoga, Corpus Christi, Tx. Burial will follow at The Coastal Bend State Veterans Cemetery at 9974 IH 37 Acess Road Corpus Christi, Texas 78410.
Pallbearers will be Javier A. Avila, Javier R. Chapa, Manuel F. Saenz, Victor Gonzales, Hugo Chapa, Arnold Alaniz, Gabriel Saenz, Leo Chapa, Jr., Cleofas Gonzales,Jr., F.O. Chapa, and Daniel Chapa.
To leave condolences visit wwwguardianfhcremation.com or caller.com
Originally published Sunday, May 26, 2013
Scripps Interactive Newspapers
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