CWO4 Adrian Munoz, Sr., United States Army, Ret.

 Adrian Munoz, Sr. was born at the King Ranch in south Texas on October 15, 1933.  He passed away January 1, 2013, aged 79, at his residence, surrounded by his family.



Adrian grew up in south Texas and graduated from Piedmont High School.  He was drafted into the Army after graduation and served, proudly, for 39 years in the Army and in the National Guard.  While in the service he attended Liberty University  in Virginia.  Adrian was a veteran of the Korean War and also served in Germany.



Adrian was a retiree from the military, Federal Government and the State of Texas.  His many awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Lone Star Distinguished Service Medal and the Texas Faithful Service Medal, awarded six times.






Adrian enjoyed dancing, camping and hunting.  He was a fan of the Texas Longhorns, and he enjoyed making people laugh during his occasional days as a clown.  He was a talented musician, playing drums, the accordion and the guitar.

Adrian was a deeply religious man and was a Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus.



On January 7, a Mass and funeral service for Adrian was held at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Kyle, Texas.   On hand to honor this veteran were the Patriot Guard Riders of the Austin Region.  After the service, the Riders led the funeral procession to the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Killeen, Texas, where the family was welcomed by more Patriot Guard Riders and fifty American flags blowing briskly in the Texas wind.



After the flag draped coffin was moved from the coach to the committal shelter, the Riders formed a line of flags around the shelter during the service.



A Catholic Chaplain of the United States Army led the gathering in the final prayers and the graveside Rite of Committal.  A family friend, an Army Officer, spoke of the Munoz family tradition of loyalty and morality.



Adrian's son, Adrian, Jr., called out "The Final Roll Call."  He called, in turn, the names of the various members of the family and friends who have served in the military, by rank and name.  Each, in turn, replied, "Here, Sir.'  The Roll Call ended by calling out, three times, the name,  Chief Warrant Officer 4 Adrian Munoz, Sr.  The lack of response represented the absence of a fallen soldier.



The United States Army Honor Detail performed full military honors.  The detail of five rifles fired three volleys of fire representing Duty, Honor and Country.  The Army Bugler played taps, as all in attendance stood, facing the coffin.


The Detail folded the American flag that draped the coffin into a perfect triangle and ceremoniously passed it to a Captain of the United States Army.  He presented it to Adrian's dear wife of 56 years, on behalf of a grateful nation and the United States Army as a token of appreciation for Adrian's honorable and faithful service.


Adrian, Jr.,then presented folded flags to each of his four sisters.  The service concluded with the presentation of a folded flag to Jr., himself a veteran and a Patriot Guard Rider, by an Officer of the United States Army.



CWO4 Adrian Munoz, Sr., was then laid to rest on the wind swept plain as the American flag flew at half-staff in his honor at the top of the hill.

Left to cherish his memory are Gracie, his wife, his four daughters and one son, 17 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and a host of other dear family and friends.

With thanks to the Harrell Funeral Home for biographical information and additional photograph.

James Doyle Tucker, United States Army Veteran

 
James Tucker, "J.T." was born October 14, 1942 in Andice, Texas.  He passed away on December 7, 2012, at the age of 70, after a six month battle with cancer.

JT attended elementary school in Andice and high school in Florence, Texas.

JT proudly served his country in the United States Army from 1962 to 1965. After his military service, he moved to Killeen, Texas where he married his late wife, Dora, and raised three children.  He worked for Centel Telephone and Sprint, and retired after 34 years.

In 1987 he married Beth Priest Bryant and soon after opened the historic Rattlesnake Inn, located south of Florence.  He fully retired in 1995.

JT enjoyed hunting, fishing, reading the Bible and visiting with his children and grandchildren.  He was active in American Legion Post 317, in Jarrell, Texas.  He was a past commander of the American Legion and was serving as Vice-Commander and Chaplain at the time of his passing.

On December 11, 2012 a funeral service was held for JT at the Gabriels Funeral Chapel in Georgetown, Texas.  In attendance were the Patriot Guard Riders of the Austin Region who formed a line of American flags at the entrance.

After the service, the riders led the funeral procession to the Matsler Cemetery in rural western Williamson County for burial service with military honors.

The Riders formed a line of flags at the grave site, as the United States Army Bugler played taps, and the  Honor Detail folded the flag that draped the coffin into a triangle and presented it to JT's dear wife on behalf of a grateful nation and the United States Army as a token of appreciation for his honorable and faithful service.

JT was then laid to rest under the arching branches of a live oak tree.  Left to cherish his memory are his wife, his children, twenty grandchildren, one great-grandson, and numerous other dear family and friends.

With thanks to the Gabriel Funeral Chapel for biographical information and photo.

Prayer of St. Francis

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.

Where there is hatred...let me sow your love.

Where there is injury...pardon.

Where there is discord...union.

Where there is doubt...faith.

Where there is despair...hope.

Where there is darkness...light.

Where there is sadness...joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not

so much seek to be consoled...as to console;

to be understood...as to understand;

to be loved...as to love;

for it is in the giving that we receive;

it is in the pardoning that we are pardoned;

and it is in dying that we are

born to eternal life.

SSG James Hughes, United States Army, Ret.

 

James Edward Hughes was born November 11, 1941 in Norfolk, Virginia and passed away recently, at the age of 71, in Marlin, Texas.

James, also known as "Teddy Bear Diamond Jim", attended public schools in Norfolk, Virginia and obtained his high school diploma from the Big Bend Community College in Moses Lake,Washington.




James proudly served his country in the United States Army for more than 22 years, which included two tours in Korea and three tours in Vietnam.  After retirement he worked in various jobs before becoming ill.




On January 4, 2013, a funeral service was held at the Greater Providence Missionary Baptist Church in Marlin, Texas.   Present to honor this veteran were the Patriot Guard Riders of Central Texas, who formed a line of American flags at the entrance to welcome the family and friends.




After the service, the Riders led the funeral procession to the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Killeen, Texas for interment service with full military honors.



The roadway of the committal shelter was lined with fifty American flags blowing in the brisk Texas wind.

After the flag draped coffin was moved from the coach to the shelter, by the Army Honor Detail, the Riders formed a line of flags along the entrance to the shelter during the rendering of the military honors.



The Army detail of five rifles fired three volleys of fire, representing Duty, Honor and Country, followed by the playing of taps by the Army bugler.



The Honor Detail folded the American flag that covered the coffin into a triangle and passed it to a Non-Commissioned Officer.  He presented it to James' dear daughter, Eleece, on behalf of a grateful nation and the United States Army as a token of appreciation for James' honorable and faithful service.



SSG James Hughes was then laid to rest on the sloping hill side, as the American flag flew at half-staff in his honor at the top of the hill.

Left to cherish his memory are his dearly beloved wife, Ruby, his daughter, seven grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and numerous other dear family, friends and "Buddies to the end."

 










"To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under the Heaven.  A time to be born, a time to die:  a time to plant and a time to pluck up that which is planted..."

Ecclesiastes 3:12

With thanks to Robertson Funeral Home for biographical information and photograph.

SFC Rhuben R. Bell, United States Army, Ret.

 

Rhuben Bell was born in Grayson County, Texas on January 3, 1938 and passed away December 8, 2012 in Grapevine, Texas, at the age of 74.


Rhuben proudly served his country in the United States Army for more than 22 years and retired in 1979 with the rank of Sergeant First Class.  His tours of duty included service in Vietnam, Korea, Germany and Fort Hood, Texas.  His numerous military decorations include the Good Conduct Medal with five bronze loops.






Rhuben accepted Christ as his Savior at an early age and served faithfully and continually until the end.  He united with Grace Christian Center in Killeen, Texas, after his marriage to his loving wife, Emma. His faithful service at Grace included elder, greeter, Men's Ministry, and Meals Made with Grace.  He was a great cook, particularly of barbecue.  He kept his place in the front foyer of the church and was lovingly known as the "Door Keeper."




On December 17, an Interment service was held for SFC Bell at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Killeen. On hand to honor this veteran were the Patriot Guard Riders who manned fifty American flags that lined the roadway at the committal shelter.


After the flag draped casket was carried from the coach to the shelter by the Army Honor Detail, the Riders formed a line of American flags around the shelter during the service. 


The Minister led the gathering in the final prayers.  The Honor Detail performed full military honors.  The detail of five rifles fired three volleys of fire, representing Duty, Honor and Country.  The Army bugler played taps as all in attendance stood and saluted the coffin.

The Honor Detail carefully folded the flag that covered the coffin into a tight triangle and passed it to a  Senior Non-Commissioned Officer.  He presented it to Emma on behalf of a grateful nation and the United States Army as a token of appreciation for the honorable and faithful service of SFC Bell.






SFC Rhuben R. Bell was then laid to rest on the wind swept plain of the cemetery as the American flag flew at half-staff, in his honor, at the top of the hill.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, three sons and their wives, two daughters and their husbands, a sister, 13 grandchildren and many other dear family and friends.

With thanks to the Killeen Daily Herald for biographical information and to Chisolm's  Family Funeral Home in Killeen and to Ceej Foy for photographs.

Jacob Andrew Macias, United States Navy Veteran

 Jacob Macias, J-Mac to his family and friends, was born in Victoria, Texas on September 10, 1989.  He passed away on December 30, 2012, at the age of 23, ending his battle with leukemia.



Jacob was a "military brat", with his parents both soldiers.  They lived in Europe, Hawaii and the continental United States.  Jacob graduated from Killeen, Texas High School in 2007 where he played football and wrestled.  He attended Central Texas College, but soon realized he needed to see more of the world and joined the United States Navy.  But, his leukemia ended that career.  Soon after Jacob joined the Navy, his father SSG German Estrada passed away, and was buried at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in 2008.

Jacob was an avid sports fan of the San Francisco Niners, the Texas Longhorns and Houston Astros.  He loved to shoot pool, write poems and draw.  He enjoyed hanging out with his brother, numerous friends and "bros". 



During Jacob's last year he worked hard from his hospital bed and attended bone marrow and blood drives in hopes of finding a donor and to increase awareness of the challenges and heart ache that leukemia can bring regardless of gender, race or age.  His heart was broken for the children, teenagers and people of his own age and had decided to start a foundation , "Jacob's Journey" in hope of bringing happiness to them.









On January 7, 2013, an interment service was held for Jacob at the Central Texas State Cemetery, just south of Killeen, Texas.  When the family arrived for the service, they were welcomed by fifty American flags lining the roadway and the Patriot Guard Riders.







After the flag draped casket was moved from the hearse to the committal shelter, the Riders formed a line of flags along the front of the shelter.







After the casket was at rest, the Navy bugler played taps, while all in attendance stood at attention.  The Navy Honor Detail then folded the American flag that covered the casket into the traditional triangle and ceremoniously passed it to a Senior Non-Commissioned Officer of the United States Army, who presented it to Jacob's mother on behalf of a grateful nation for Jacob's service to his country.






Five of the pall bearers were wearing sports apparel from professional football teams, as were many of the family and friends.  Also, neatly pinned to many lapels were burnt orange ribbons.





Jacob Andrew Macias was laid to rest in the cemetery space next to his father, which had been reserved for his mother.  Some day she will join Jacob in that space.






Left to cherish the many memories of his short life, are his mother, Sergeant First Class, Ret. Barbara Estrada, one brother, three of his grandparents, numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, step family members and numerous other dear family and friends.  Jacob's biological father, Guadalupe Macias, had preceded him in death.

With thanks to the Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home for biographical information and additional photographs.

SKCS Lewis Eppright, United States Navy, Ret.

Lewis Don Eppright was born October 6, 1947 in Austin, Texas and passed away November 21, 2012, at the age of 65  of heart failure.

Lewis Don and Carole Ann were Junior High sweethearts and married June 17, 1966, and have raised two fine daughters.

Lewis joined the United States Navy Reserves in 1964, at the age of 17.  He later joined the regular Navy and was stationed on both the East and West Coasts during his career.  He served on various surface craft and submarines.

Lewis was based in Hawaii for most of his career, and it became home for his family.   After 22 years, including service in Vietnam, he retired, with the rank of Senior Chief Storekeeper.  Although he retired  on disability because of his heart, he went on to become a postal carrier for the United States Post Office in Hawaii.

Lewis eventually transferred to Texas, to be closer to his extended family, and lived in Round Rock, Texas at the time his death.

A memorial service was held for Lewis on November 28 at the Celebration Church in Georgetown, Texas.  In attendance were the Patriot Guard Riders out of Austin, Texas, who formed a line of American flags at the entrance of the church to welcome the arriving family and friends.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife Carole, their two daughters and numerous other dear family and friends.

James Lucas Malec, Sr., United States Army Veteran

 Jim Malec, Sr., was killed instantly in a tragic automobile accident on November 17, 2012 near Waco, Texas.

Jim graduated from J.F.K. High School in 1966, joined the United States Army and proudly served his country for two years.

In 1968 he entered the management training program with the F. W. Woolworth Company and remained in management  until their closing in 1997.

Jim moved to Las Vegas where he worked in retail with Dollar Tree and Family Dollar.  In 2005 he and his dear wife, Betty, moved to Sun City Texas where they entered into semi-retirement.   Jim worked for CVS as a manager for seven years.  In his recent retirement, he spent more time with his wife, and his little dog, Teddy.

Jim was a proud father, and always found time to be with his sons from scouting to school activities and hockey.  He loved fishing and enjoyed playing slots at the casino.







An inurnment service was held on November 23 at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Killeen, Texas.  There the family was greeted by a double line of friends sporting flag themed umbrellas, and the Patriot Guard Riders who formed a line of American flags around the committal shelter.










The Catholic Priest performed the grave side rite of committal and led the gathering in final prayers.  The Army Honor detail rendered military honors.  The Army bugler played taps.  The American flag that rested next to the cremains was unfolded, and carefully refolded into a tight triangle, and presented to Jim's wife of 42 years, on behalf of a grateful nation and the United States Army as a token of appreciation for his honorable and faithful service.







The cremains of James Lucas Malec, Sr., were then buried in a special section of the cemetery, as the American flag flew at half-staff, in his honor, at the top of the hill.




Left to cherish his memory are his wife, his three sons, three grandchildren and numerous other dear family and friends.

With thanks to the Ramsey Funeral home for biographical information and photo, and to Ceej Foy for additional photographs.