PETER ALBERT CASTILLO, SR., On November 21, 2015, the gates of heaven were opened to our beloved Peter Albert Castillo, Sr. with his loving family by his side. Peter was born on January 18, 1958 to Sonia and Margarito Castillo. He was born in Corpus Christi, Texas and raised in his beloved neighborhood of Molina. He attended the schools of West Oso ISD and graduated from high school in 1977. He proudly served in the U.S. Army from 1978 and was honorably discharged in 1981. Upon discharge Peter returned to Corpus Christi where he later worked as a Helicopter Mechanic for Dynacorp at NAS Corpus Christi and enjoyed working on all types of military aircraft including CH47 Chinook and UH60 Helicopters.
In 1983 he married Vivian Martinez and together had two children, son Peter Albert Castillo, Jr. (P.J.) and daughter Pearl. The family lived together in Corpus Christi and enjoyed many family vacations and built everlasting memories with each other that will live on in their memories forever. Vivian and Peter became best friends who always had each other's back.
Always able to win people's hearts, Peter acquired a multitude of brother and sisterhood friends. He was affectionately known to his friends as "La Trucha". He loved to laugh, but loved to make others laugh even more. He had a great love of basketball, loved the Dallas Cowboys, the West Oso Bears and enjoyed all types of sporting events. Peter enjoyed cruising the streets of his beloved Molina and could spend hours stopping to visit friends whenever he was in the neighborhood.
Peter was extremely proud when he became a father to his son P.J. in 1985, to carry on the family name. Peter faced many challenges throughout his life, but faced them all with courage and determination. News that his baby daughter Pearl had been born in 1993, Peter was even more determined to win his biggest fight of all with Cancer. He won the battle and lived many years to enjoy and watch his children grow and become adults. In 2005 he became a Grandfather to the first of 3 beautiful girls.
Peter is preceded in death by his beloved baby sister Rebecca, his maternal grandparents Blas and Matilde Rodriguez, paternal grandparents Felipe and Fernanda Castillo, father Margarito Castillo.
He is survived by his wife Vivian Castillo, loving son Peter Albert Castillo, Jr., his wife Ashley and their three daughters, Aaralynn, Paezlynn and Brooklynn, his loving daughter, Pearl, mother Sonia Castillo, siblings Richard (Tina) Castillo, Patricia (Pete) Flores, Margaret Ortiz, Criselda Rodriguez and Corinna Hernandez, mother-in-law Anita Hernandez and numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.
The family would like to express their sincere gratitude and appreciation for all the prayers, food, visits, telephone calls and words of comfort during this difficult time. Special thanks are extended to Tia Maria Arredondo, for her loving care of Peter and to Altus Hospice Professional Care – special mention to Paula Scott.
Funeral services will be held at The Guardian Funeral Home. Visitation will begin at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 29, 2015 with a Rosary to be recited at 7 p.m. the same evening. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Our Lady Of Pilar at 10:00 a.m., November 30, 2015. Interment to follow with Military Honors at Coastal Bend State Veteran's Cemetery 9974 IH 37 Access Rd. Pallbearers will be childhood friend Claude Saenz, Cousin Felipe Castillo, Sr., brother-in-law Greg Martinez and nephews Pete Flores III, Anthony Flores and Patrick Flores.