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Roger Avila passed away peacefully in his home at the age of 98, just 41 days shy of his 99th birthday. He was born in San Pedro, California, the oldest of 10 children. Roger lived a full and wonderful life. At the age of 17, while living in Mexico City, Roger worked as a portrait photographer. There, he met his future wife and mother of his children, Rebecca. It was love at first sight. Soon, military service called him to duty. Roger served with the Ejército Mexicano (the Mexican Armed Forces) for almost 2 years before they realized he was an American citizen. They subsequently sent him to the United States to serve. In the US, he trained at Fort Sam Houston and became a certified rifleman and watchmaker. Military service took him to Japan where he serviced ship’s clocks and other time pieces. He was awarded Asiatic Pacific campaign medal for good conduct during the occupation of Japan, and the Victory occupation medal in 1946. After the war, he spent time in San Antonio but returned to Mexico City to collect his future wife Rebecca. A short time later, the Avilas found themselves calling San Antonio home. Always the hard worker, Roger found success. He began on E. Commerce in St. Paul square as a jeweler at King Jewelry where he soon got the nickname “Mr. King”. In 1962 he opened his own Pawn Shop, Imperial Loan and Jewelry Co. In 1985, with the help of his daughter, Alma Galo and son in law, Joe Galo, Roger opened a second location on San Pedro called Imperial North Loan and Jewelry. Shortly thereafter, his son, Norman Avila joined the family business. As a businessman, he was well liked and honest. He was known to be respectful of every customer that walked though his door. In 2016, at the age of 92, Roger finally retired. Roger had 5 children: Alma Avila Galo, Norman Rene Avila, Belinda Cheaney, Carla Avila-Gray and Brandon Avila; and 8 grandchildren: Zachary Avila with wife Robin, Erika Galo Drew with husband Wesley Drew, Austin Gray, Devan Gray, Elijah Gray, Donovan Avila, Cecily Cheaney and Lauren Cheaney Mamaril with husband Danny Mamaril and step daughter Lily Mamaril; and 4 (soon to be 5) great grandchildren: Jasper Avila and Sophia Avila, Natalia Drew and Micaela Drew, with one the way, Owen Mamaril. Roger is survived by all but Carla Avila-Gray, who passed the same evening as her father. He was preceded by his wife Rebecca.

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Rogelio Avila

November 1, 1924 - September 20, 2023