Tributes

Rolando Palacios passed away on May 10, 2026, in his sleep quietly and at peace in San Antonio, Texas. On January 16, 2026, the love of his life for 71 years, Elvia Ramona Peña had passed away. Our family believes he missed her dearly and went home to be with her and their twin sons. Rolando was born to parents Julian Palacios and Cristelia Treviño on August 4,1932, in Falfurrias, Texas. In 1951 he enlisted in the United States Air Force, serving on active duty and later maintaining his Air Force reserve status until 1964. In 1953 with his VA Benefits in place, he enrolled in Draughon's Business College in San Antonio, Texas and secured a career-defining job with Southern Pacific Railroad in 1954. Rolando and Elvia married in December 1954. Their first two years were spent living and traveling in a converted Southern Pacific Railroad boxcar furnished with easy to secure furniture. With time they acquired their forever home in San Antonio, Texas and raised their children: Delma J. Soriano (Ruben), Roland R. Palacios (Mary Ann), Daniel and Donald Palacios (deceased 8/1963), E. Yvette Herder (Wayne), Annette M. Palacios (Brooke), George J. Palacios (Tina) and Joel R. Palacios (Cindy). Rolando’s love of family extended to all his wonderful grandchildren who absolutely enjoyed his hilarious sense of humor: Freddy (Brandi), Roland (Sabrina), Scott, Cierra (Harrison), Maverick, Micah, Lauren (Aziz), Austin, Aaron, Alexus, Rio, Justice, Fuego and June, as well as 11 amazing great-grandchildren. Every year Rolando would get a new wall calendar and mark it for all the birthdays and important family events that included his seven brothers and three sisters. He is survived by his siblings Oscar, Gloria, Rodolfo, Adalberto, and Alvar. He is preceded in death by his siblings Manuela, Julian, Vidal, and Esmeralda. During his 40-year career with Southern Pacific Railroad which later branched into Amtrak for passenger rail service he formulated a keen sense of union representation, equality, voting rights and civic duty. In 1996/1997 Rolando enrolled at the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at UT Austin for a special class, Innovation Leadership Training Program to canvass and educate voters, he was extremely proud of that accomplishment. Education was a standard in his home with and for his children. He became a World Book Encyclopedia salesman to provide the best at home resources for them. There were also the supplemental jobs to have that “extra” for his family like the Notary Public, Bexar County Deputy Sheriff and Funeral Counselor. Because of his hard work, he provided a platform for all his children to further their education or trade and that passion continued with his grandchildren. That “extra” came in quite handy because he and his children loved sports. As an airman, Rolando boxed as a welterweight, touring Puerto Rico and the Caribbean. High School football & band, college football, football, boxing, tennis and, of course, the San Antonio Spurs brought all kinds of excitement and bonding opportunities for the family. Rolando was a parishioner of Mission San Jose Church and attended mass regularly and volunteered there till his health did not allow. In his later years, he and Elvia continued their devotion by watching Mass on television. To his dear in-laws, nieces and nephews, godchildren, cousins, friends and colleagues: please know that Rolando would ask for updates of you and absolutely loved seeing cell phone photos. From all of us, we want you to know how grateful we are that you were a part of his long and unique life. Our family would like to extend our appreciation to Embrace Hospice, with special thanks Nurses Tomás Berry & Vanessa Magel and to Rosario Sapien & staff of Golden Hearts for their care of our dad Rolando. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Mission San Jose Church, 701 E Pyron Ave, San Antonio, TX 78214 missionsanjosechurch.org or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital stjude.org.

Tributes

Rolando Palacios

August 4, 1932 - May 10, 2026