The family of Thomas Valenzuela will be hosting a Celebration of Life at Hanger 183, 1120 South Main, Frederick, Oklahoma, on Tuesday, January 9, 2024, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.  His family will then take him home to Rockport, Texas, for his final services.  Inurnment, with full military honors, will be held at 10:00 am, Friday, January 12th, 2024, at the Coastal Bend State Veterans Cemetery, 9974 Interstate 37, Corpus Christi, Texas, followed by a funeral Mass at 2:00 p.m., Friday afternoon at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 209 North Church Street, Rockport, Texas. He will be honored by a Celebration of Life service at the Rockport-Fulton American Legion Post 363, 1701 South Church Street, Rockport, Texas, at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday afternoon, January 13, 2024.  Local cremation arrangements are under the direction of Jackson Funeral Home of Frederick, Oklahoma.  Mr. Valenzuela, age 88, passed away Sunday morning, January 7, 2024, at his home in Frederick, surrounded by his family and loved ones.

Thomas Valenzuela was born October 9, 1935, in Victoria, Texas, to Jesse and Catarina L. (Benavides) Valenzuela.  After Thomas graduated from high school, he enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1953 and served four years.  He immediately joined and served in the United States Army and was honorably discharged as Staff Sergeant in 1966.   Thomas was a very proud American who served his country during the Korean Conflict and Vietnam War.  Thomas was a long-time member of the Rockport-Fulton American Legion Post 363 where he helped in the construction of their building.

After the service, Thomas had many fulfilling positions.  He worked on a shrimp boat in the Gulf of Mexico. He was hired at the Green Giant factory in Minnesota as an interpreter after hundreds of immigrants began working at the factory. Thomas also enjoyed his tenure as custodian for the Rockport Public Schools in Rockport, Texas.   Thomas will always be remembered as an avid Dallas Cowboys fan and also as a singer in a band that traveled and performed all over south Texas.  In June of 2023, Thomas, along with his two sons, John and Thomas, became the owners of Hangar 183 Restaurant in Frederick, Oklahoma.  He loved spending time there visiting with customers and his employees.

Thomas was married to Alicia Flores-Lara for thirty-seven years. Their union enriched his life, especially because of his new bonus family.  Thomas cherished his time with his family.   He was their hero!

Thomas is survived by his children, John Valenzuela and his wife Linda of Frederick, Oklahoma, Thomas Valenzuela of Frederick, Oklahoma, Tomas Valenzuela and his wife Esther of Watsonville, California, and Deborah Palamino of Watsonville, California; his bonus children, Gloria Lara, Angelina Lara, Ernesto Lara, Ismael "Smiley" Lara, and Mary McMahan; thirteen grandchildren; sixteen bonus grandchildren; nineteen great grandchildren; five bonus great grandchildren; five great-great grandchildren; five bonus great-great grandchildren; his sister, Mable Sanchez of Corpus Christi, Texas; and many nieces and nephews and those friends who loved him dearly.

He was preceded in death by his wife in 2010, Alicia Valenzuela; his parents, Jesse and Catarina; two sisters, Maria and Georgia; and three of his bonus children, Estavan Lara Jr., Oscar Lara, and Florencia Lara.

An online guestbook is available on this website to leave your condolences for the family.