Carmen Olmos

Carmen Olmos, 80, passed away on Thursday, February 29, 2024.

Rosary: 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 13, 2024, in Mount Olivet Chapel.
Funeral: 11 a.m. Thursday, March 14, 2024, at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church.
Interment: Mount Olivet Cemetery.

Carmen was born in Nueva Rosita, Coahuila, Mexico, on November 9, 1943. She was the fifth of 10 children born to Juan and Elena Zertuche. When Carmen was 9 years old the family immigrated back to Gonzales, Texas where her parents had met and married before settling in Mexico where her father owned land with his brothers. Carmen entered North Avenue Elementary speaking little or no English. She excelled in school and was soon a top student in her class consistently recognized for her academic prowess and being a model student. In high school she participated and was an officer in the school's pep squad and the girls' athletics association. She achieved recognition as a National Honor Society member for her academic achievements. As a teenager she loved to dance. She and her cousin, Cosmito knew or could work out all the latest steps and taught their friends. Carmen was quite the fashionista and seamstress as well. During her teen years she made many of her own clothes and outfitted herself and younger sisters with prom formals. Being the first in her family to graduate from high school in 1964, Carmen set a high bar for her siblings. They credit her for paving the way for them to succeed in school as well. Always a top student in the school's secretarial training program and being bilingual in Spanish and English, she was offered a coveted secretarial position with a local attorney immediately upon graduation in 1964. She worked there until getting married in 1968 to Cleofas (J.R.) Olmos Jr., of Fort Worth, Texas. He allegedly "swept her off her feet" with his dancing skills. They were both excellent dancers and a cool couple to watch in the Tejano dance halls around Ft. Worth and Gonzales. After moving to Fort Worth in 1968, she worked as a legal assistant for Fort Worth attorney Robert Doby Jr., until her retirement in 2019. 

Apart from raising her family, Carmen was always a patron of the arts. She loved literature, especially Latino authors like Isabelle Allende and Victor Villaseñor. She also loved music, especially female vocalists. Carmen was also a huge fan of mariachi music. She loved all the great mariachi female vocalists, Lola Beltran, Flor Silvestre, Rocio Durcal, and especially Linda Ronstadt who was more contemporary to her life experience. As her children entered school, she always emphasized the value of education and played a vital part in bringing mariachi to J.P. Elder Middle School in Fort Worth ISD. Carmen was fondly referred to as a "mariachi mama" by many kids in the program. She then continued to support the mariachi programs in the schools even after her kids graduated. When her son Jay played baseball, she learned how to complete an official score book to track his stats. In her retirement, she enjoyed crossword puzzles, cross-stitching, and keeping up with her flower gardens. She spent time with her grandkids teaching them how to properly plant and care for her flowers. Her grandkids were her pride and joy and she enjoyed watching them participate in all their favorite activities. She watched every game of the 2023 Texas Rangers season. Scolding J.R. if he tried to change the TV during any of the games - she was so happy to witness them finally win the World Series.

Carmen was preceded in death by her parents Juan and Elena Zertuche, and sister Juanita Zertuche.

Survivors: Loving husband, Cleofas (J.R.) Olmos Jr.; children, Juan "John" Luis Olmos and wife Mariza Saenz Olmos, Rachel Olmos Rueda and husband, Roberto Rueda Jr., Cleofas "Jay" Olmos III and wife Barbra Olmos; grandchildren, Alexis Elena Olmos, Jasmyn Celeste Olmos, Gabriella Danielle Olmos, Roberto Rueda III and Rosa Elena Rueda; and her siblings, Teresa Deleon, Elvira Luera, Maria Louisa Colunga, Lupe Martinez, Rose Rodriguez, Frances Hardaway, and Juan Zertuche.

Carmen's passing leaves a deep void for all her family. They remember one of her favorite inspirational quotes "Querer es Poder" as they move forward to continue her legacy.