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Victor Resendez, Jr., age 81, loving son, brother, father and friend entered into rest on January 2, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. He was born on May 8, 1942, in Seguin, Texas. He is preceded in death by his parents, Victor, Sr. and Maria Resendez, sisters, Rebecca Avalos, and Olivia Cardenas. He is survived by his loving daughters, Lisa Resendez Espinoza (Greg) and Catherine Rodriguez (Rick), and son Tony Resendez, and sisters, Connie Jimenez (Joe) and Esperanza Villarreal (Smokey). He is also survived by 8 grandchildren, Stephen Resendez, Michael Resendez, Mia Resendez, Mireya Rodriguez, Luke Espinoza, Leah Espinoza, Sonia Rodriguez and Derek Rodriguez; and by many nephews, nieces and cousins. Victor grew up a migrant worker helping his family make their way in this country. They picked cotton for local farmers. His parents were born in Mexico and came to the United States for a better life. He grew up in Seguin, Texas and attended segregated public schools. Mexican Americans were first to be desegregated and he graduated in 1962 from Seguin High School. He excelled as a student and strongly believed every citizen had a right to a quality public education. After high school graduation he ran for the Seguin ISD school board to try to make a difference. While he did not win he continued to help his community by working at the Boys Club to help keep kids stay on the right track. He attended Southwest Texas State College (now Texas State University) where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Education degree in 1966. He was the first in his family to go to college. He worked every summer doing various jobs, including being an umpire for a softball league, to help pay for college. He also spent one summer working at a steel mill in Houston. After graduating from college he began his career as a history teacher at Harlandale Middle School in 1966. He had met Rachel Moreno while in college and they married in 1966. They had Lisa in 1967 and Tony in 1969. While working and starting a young family he continued his education and earned a Master of Arts degree from Southwest Texas State University (now Texas State University) in 1971. In 1970 with his young family he moved to Lincoln, Nebraska where he was recruited as a teacher by the University of Nebraska’s High School Equivalency Program (HEP). He eventually became the director of HEP whose mission was helping migrant students complete high school and get into college. Victor was always an advocate for education. Victor loved his time in Nebraska and made lifelong friends there. At HEP he taught his students about the importance of education and the importance of being good citizens. His students knew he cared about not just their education but also their well being. Many of his students and colleagues stayed in touch with him throughout his lifetime. In 1974 he returned to San Antonio with his family to serve as a director for the Economic Opportunity Development Corporation (EODC). EODC’s mission was to help citizens in Bexar County prepare for the workforce, a man power program. When Victor left the HEP program to take the EODC director job he was quoted in the Nebraska Educator newspaper saying: “We spend billions of dollars to develop our oil industry, but I think we should begin to look more at man’s greatest resource: And that is man himself.” Victor believed in helping people and empowering them with knowledge and skills. When he came back from Nebraska he purchased land near Seguin, and with his dad Victor Sr. and uncle Adolpho, they built a modest barn, shed and dug a well and raised cows. He later built a cabin on the property and enjoyed spending time there with his family throughout the years up to his passing. In 1977 they had Cathy. In 1978 Victor then returned to public education working at Seguin ISD then Harlandale ISD and then retiring from South San Antonio ISD in 1997. During his time in public education Victor served as a teacher, counselor, assistant principal and district administrator. He was also a college professor at San Antonio College. Victor was fluent in Spanish. He had dual citizenship, United States and Mexico. Victor was also appointed then elected to serve on the Harlandale ISD board of trustees from 1986 to 1990 and again elected in 2003 and re-elected in 2005 and served until 2008. He served as Board President from 2005 - 2006, Secretary from 1989 - 1990 and 2007 - 2008. Victor enjoyed campaigning and meeting community members, parents and students and talking about the importance of public education. During his first term on the board he helped make all the necessary decisions to modernize and air condition all the schools in the district. Victor also owned and operated a neighborhood convenience store from the mid 70’s to the early 80’s (Mission 21 Grocery on the corner of Pyron and Commercial). On weekends the store sold fresh tortillas, tamales and barbacoa (at times the barbacoa was cooked by Victor the traditional way). He worked as a real estate agent and broker and had his own real estate company (Resendez Real Estate). He was a tax preparer and a notary public. Victor was also involved and volunteered with prison ministries. Victor was a big believer in helping people. He loved the Harlandale community and made it his home for over 50 years. Throughout his life he made lifelong friends and inspired people to live life to its fullest! He cared deeply for people and helping those in need. He traveled to Europe, Mexico, Canada, Alaska and visited many other states, cities and places throughout the county. He enjoyed spending time outdoors and staying at his cabin near Seguin. He liked fishing and camping. He loved his pets, he enjoyed having dogs and cats. In his retirement years he grew a vegetable garden in his yard. He built a tree house for his grandchildren. He buried gold and silver treasure in special places at his house for his grandchildren. He loved working on home projects and projects at his cabin. He loved working with his hands, he built sheds, decks, fences, a solar water heater, he did roofing, plumbing, and electrical work, he dug a safety bunker in his back yard. He was resourceful and inventive. He owned and renovated properties. He was a handy man, a carpenter, a painter, a landscaper. He was a caretaker. He took in and cared for stray dogs and cats. He took care of his neighbors and adopted one of his neighbors dogs when the neighbor passed. He helped homeless people and took them in and fed them and had them over during Thanksgiving and Christmas. He took care of them and helped them. He believed in helping the poor and homeless. He taught his children and grandchildren the importance of family and friends. The importance of investing in and taking care of yourself physically, mentally and emotionally. He taught them the importance of giving back to your community and helping others. He taught them the importance of self worth, hard work, team, gratitude and humility. He believed in standing up for yourself, and standing up for others who couldn’t. He believed in challenging rules and laws that were not just. And to not be afraid to speak up and express your thoughts, ideas and opinions. He taught his children and grandchildren to be respectful, caring, diplomatic and dignified. And to be strong and confident. He lived what he taught. He liked to read and loved to learn. Some of his favorites, the Bible, Profiles in Courage, War and Peace, the Old Man and the Sea, Treasure Island, The Richest Man in Babylon, The Greatest Salesman in the World, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Don Quixote (in Spanish) and Rich Dad Poor Dad. His grandchildren were his pride and joy. He loved talking to them about their lives, their education, starting their careers, their dreams, he talked to them about friendships and dating, his grandsons about women and love. He loved star gazing and learning about the universe, he loved science, he loved visiting the beach. He enjoyed a cold beer with friends. He enjoyed having breakfast with local community leaders to discuss politics and community service. He enjoyed sitting on his porch in his rocking chair with friends and family talking about life. He enjoyed visiting with priests and ministers discussing faith and prayer. Victor lived life to its fullest! And will be missed and remembered by many. He inspired his family, friends and community and his legacy will continue through all those he knew and loved. He loved to share his knowledge and wisdom with his children and grandchildren. He was active and independent until his final days. He did not let his declining health stop him from living. He is now resting in Heaven talking to all those who will listen about his wonderful life adventures! God is Love. Jesus is Love. Visitation will be on Thursday, January 11, 2024, at Brookehill Funeral Home from 4:00 pm till 8:00 pm and the Rosary will be recited at 6:30 pm. The family will depart Brookehill Funeral Home at 9:30 am on Friday, January 12, 2024, for Mass at St. Leo the Great Catholic Church at 10:00 am followed by burial at Santo Tomas Cemetery at 2798 TX-46, Seguin, TX preceding the mass. He was loved by all and will be deeply missed. BROOKEHILL FUNERAL HOME 711 SE Military Dr. San Antonio, TX 78214 (210) 923-7523 In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to the Animal Defense League www.adltexas.org

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Victor Resendez Jr.

May 8, 1942 - January 2, 2024