Tributes

Gerardo Vazquez (54 years old), lovingly known to all as “Jerry”, passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 29, 2022, in Houston, Texas, with his mother and brothers by his side, after a 20-month battle with cancer. God chose him to enter His Kingdom. Jerry was a devout and practicing Catholic. Jerry was born in San Antonio, Texas to Cesar Vazquez Ruiz and Irma Oralia Gonzalez Vazquez on June 2, 1968. Jerry never married and does not have any children, although he considered Max, his 1+ year old Goldendoodle, his child. Max now lives with “Grandma” Irma. Jerry’s parents moved the family to Laredo, Texas when he was six years old. Jerry graduated from J.W. Nixon High School in 1987 and attended Laredo College and Laredo State University (now Texas A&M International University). Jerry’s passion for TV and media started when he completed an unpaid internship at KGNS-TV in Laredo. This six-week internship led to a 36-year career culminating in his last position as Vice President of News for Telemundo Houston KTMD (NBCUniversal). Jerry’s career took him from an intern at KGNS-TV in Laredo to Telemundo KVDA in San Antonio (1990) as Assignments Manager/Assistant News Director and was then promoted to the Interim News Director in his early 20s. He then went to KMOL-TV (now WOAI-TV NBC) in San Antonio (1993) as the Assignments Manager and landed his first News Director position at KMID-TV2 in Midland TX (1997). Wanting to be closer to his family in San Antonio, he accepted a position as Executive Producer at KTRK-TV ABC 12 (Houston) where he spent 13 years before being recruited as the Vice President of News for Telemundo Houston – KTMD in 2014. It took Jerry only two years to get the station to the top as the most-watched station, both in Spanish and English. The blogger, Mike McGuff, put it best in his November 17, 2016, article titled, “The Rise of Houston Spanish-language TV” as well as his October 31, 2022, article titled, “Jerry Vazquez, Telemundo Houston ND, loses cancer battle.” A few quotes from the latter article: "Jerry was a terrific Journalist, terrific manager and a great friend," former abc13 KTRK Vice President of News Dave Strickland told mikemcguff.com. "Jerry was was one of the best newsmen I ever worked with," former abc13 KTRK assistant news director Don Kobos told mikemcguff.com. "He not only understood the English newscape but he was a top flight Spanish speaking newsman." "Jerry was a mentor to me and a news whisperer," KIII 3News Corpus Christi morning anchor John-Thomas Kobos told mikemcguff.com. "When it came to guidance over the best way to deliver stories, how to dress professionally on-air or handle contract negations - his advice was always golden and spot on. His legacy in the news business will outlast his time here on earth. He will be greatly missed as a mentor and a friend." "When you have the right team in place together you can accomplish anything. In my opinion we have assembled a team of the best producers, anchors, reporters, photographers and assignments desk!" Vazquez told McGuff in 2018. Under the leadership of Vazquez, President and General Manager Tony Canales, Vice President of Marketing JC Perez and others, KTMD moved to the top of the ratings in Houston. The following is a short list of the achievements Jerry enjoyed in his career that speaks to his expertise, respect, and admiration in the industry: 1. Jerry won 13 Lone Star Emmys and numerous nominations with his proudest being the 2003 Emmy for “Outstanding Public Affairs Interview/Discussion: “Juan Diego – “The Mystery, The Man, The Saint”. This extraordinary work led to another significant award. 2. 2003 RTNDA Regional Edward R. Murrow Award – News Documentary: “Juan Diego – “The Mystery, The Man, The Saint” 3. The Associated Press (AP) Award for Evening Newscast (1998 and 1999) 4. Jerry was a Lone Star Emmy Founding Board Member (2003 – 2006) 5. Panelist & Moderator for the National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ) NBC University (2016 and 2018) 6. NBCUniversal Talent Lab “Invest” (August 2017) 7. NAHJ Panelist at the 2001 Annual Convention 8. Houston Association of Hispanic Media Professionals – Panelist for Annual Training 9. Invited to sit at the Mass when he led the media coverage for Pope John Paul II’s visit to Mexico City in 2002. Jerry frequently mentioned the Holiness he felt being within a few feet from the Pope inside the church. 10. Met and visited with Mexican President Vicente Fox and proudly displayed his photograph and signed book in his office. 11. And many other honors and recognitions. Jerry was a career man. His work was his passion, he loved it, and it gave him great joy. The Emmys and other awards are the fruits of his labor, and his family supported him. The family knew that during “sweeps” or “ratings,” Jerry was focused on achieving the best results. He was a perfectionist, proven by the results. His mindset was that the viewers deserve the best and most accurate news. Now about Jerry’s character. His mother and two brothers know a very selfless, kind, and giving person. He always wanted peace and harmony and advocated forgiveness. His brothers cannot recall a time when Jerry was upset or did not talk to them as is normal with most families. His friends describe him like this: “Kind, valued family and friend, loyal, dedicated, honest, integrity, respectful, empathetic, ambitious, great listener, always comforting to others, and positive; Loved God, his family and friends and loved his work.” “Enjoyed playing billiards, loved Las Vegas (not much is known about his trips….), taking cruises, and had an entrepreneurial spirit for business.” “Loved ‘80s music and his 50th Birthday had an ‘80s theme.” -- Armando R. Hinojosa, M.D., Rico Ricard A. Riojas, Jr., Francis Galán, Ph.D. “Surprisingly talented at bowling – a left hander powerhouse; and he was good at imitating people” – Emmanuel “Gonz” Sanchez. His sense of humor went from dry to hilarious and you always laughed around him. The most important person in his life was his dear Mother, Irma. He took care of her every need, called several times a day, and for the 22 years he lived in Houston, drove twice a month or more to San Antonio to visit his Mom and family. He enjoyed taking her to dinners, cruises, an occasional casino trip, and spending time with her. His dedication to her well-being was admirable and his actions and words spoke loudly of his love for his mother. His brothers Cesar and Mario will honor Jerry’s character by continuing to be there for her as they have been. They are blessed to have the best Mom in the world. He loved his nieces Arianna and Brianna(†) and nephew Cesarito. He treasured spending time with his uncles, aunts and cousins in San Antonio and stayed in touch with his cousins in Monterrey, Mexico. He loved family. Jerry is survived by his Mother, Irma G. Vazquez, his brother Cesar Vazquez, Jr. and wife Amparo, his nephew Cesar III, niece Arianna, and brother Mario A. Vazquez; and numerous uncles, aunts, and cousins too many to name and whom he loved dearly. Jerry is preceded in death by his father Cesar Vazquez, Sr., his niece Brianna Vazquez, maternal grandparents Jose Maria & Micaela Gonzalez (San Antonio), paternal grandparents Tomas & Mercedes Vazquez (Monterrey, NL, Mexico). Jerry’s Mom and brothers are immensely grateful to many, many people and wish we could name them all. The family would like to thank and specifically recognize the tremendous support received from Jerry’s Aunt Letty Perales, Emmanuel “Gonz” & Sandra Sanchez, and María Carolina Gonzalez Ballesteros for sacrificing so much of their lives to help us care for Jerry. They spent tireless weeks and months supporting Jerry. Without you, we could not have gotten through this. Irma, Cesar Jr., and Mario have no words to thank you enough and we KNOW Jerry felt the same as he mentioned it frequently. Gracias a los Tíos, Tías, Primos & Primas de Jerry en Monterrey. Sus oraciones, llamadas y apoyo ayudaron bastante. Gerardo siempre se animaba con sus recados, llamadas y audios. Gracias Familia en Monterrey. Palbearers are: Francis Galán, Ph.D. Danny Hermosillo Armando R. Hinojosa, M.D. Jose A. Madrigal Jose Luis Perales, Jr. Ricardo A. Riojas, Jr. Emmanual “Gonzo” Sanchez (Honorary) Luis Carlos Vázquez Guerra (Honorary) Leoncio Alberto Vázquez Guerra (Honorary) Jerry was very grateful to MD Anderson in Houston and the staff for the great care he received, especially those on the 17th and 19th Floors, and other floors where he stayed who made him feel loved and cared for. Thank you, Telemundo Family and MD Anderson Houston for all your support. Service: Mission Park North Funeral Chapels, Visitation Monday, November 14, 2022, at 5pm with 7pm Rosary followed by a tribute to Jerry Vazquez Mass at St. Luke Catholic Church on Manitou at 10:00am on Tuesday, November 15, 2022, and Interment at San Fernando Cemetery No. 3 on Cupples Road. Please call funeral home for more information regarding the arrangements (210-349-1414) or you may reach Mario Vazquez, his brother, at mvaz2012@gmail.com

Tributes

Gerardo "Jerry" Vazquez

June 2, 1968 - October 29, 2022