Ricardo Almaraz Ayala

Ricardo Almaraz Ayala, 87, of Waelder, passed away Wednesday, February 22, 2023. He was born February 7, 1936 in Gonzales County to Santiago and Angelina Almaraz Ayala. He married Mary Quintero September 4, 1958 in the old St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. He had been a life-long parishioner of St. Patrick’s and had served as President of the St. Patrick’s Advisory Board for the construction of the new St. Patrick’s Catholic Church.

Ricardo was born and raised in Waelder and attended school within the Waelder Independent School District where he also played baseball for the school team. Later he would serve on the school board for Waelder ISD. He volunteered his time for many years to support the St. Patrick’s Fiesta Guacamole. He was also a Lions Club member for many years, his grandchildren remember him wearing his yellow vest with medals pinned. The lions club would bring a small carnival and circus at times and provide July 4th fireworks in Waelder. In his quiet time, he enjoyed playing dominoes, cards, bingo and cheering on his beloved Dallas Cowboys.

He was a hardworking man, devoted to providing for his family. He had received his Barber license and worked in this capacity with his wife in a shop off old Hwy 90 W. Having worked at the Humble Oil service station in Waelder for a period of time he went to work for Ruhman’s in Schulenberg making garden tools before going to work in maintenance for Waelder ISD. He also drove a bus for the district and often transported students to their athletic events. He worked 25 years for the district before retiring.

Ricardo was a loving and helpful husband as he faithfully worked beside his wife in the kitchen washing dishes as she cooked. He always had fresh tea with lemon ready to serve a guest at any moment. He was a supportive father and made a sincere effort to attend his children’s and grandchildren’s school activities. His “Bebitas” will cherish his memory as their “Weto” and his loving manner will be revered by all his family with their every breath.

Ricardo is survived by his wife of nearly 65 years, Mary Ayala, daughters, Anita Tovar (Reynaldo), Norma Puente, (Ignacio), son , Jesse Ayala (Carrie), sister, Celia Ayala Rosas, grandchildren, Ryan Tovar, (Selina), Cynthia DeLaRosa, (Gerardo), Jacob Tovar, Amanda Walker, (Brandon), Jessalyn Ayala, (Joe Luna), Geralyn Ayala (Javier Amaro), Angelica Ayala, Angel Jimenez (Jorge), Malorie Puente, and Steven Puente, great-grandchildren, Anthony, Jacob, Sophia, Jasmynn, Alaya, Kamdon, Kaison, Brandon, Johnny, August, Nova, and Brayla. He was preceded in death by his parents, son and daughter-in-law, Richard, Jr. and Rebecca Ayala, sister, Vera Rosas, and infant twin siblings.

The family will receive friends from 5 pm to 7 pm Sunday, February 26, 2023 in Seydler-Hill Funeral Home with a Holy Rosary following at 7 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 am Monday, February 27, 2023 in St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Waelder with Fr. Jason Martini as celebrant. Interment will follow in Waelder Community Cemetery. Pallbearers: Ryan and Jacob Tovar, Gerardo DeLaRosa, Jorge Jimenez, Brandon Walker, and Javier Amaro. Memorials may be made to St. Patrick Catholic Church. Friends may leave their condolences to the family by visiting www.seydlerhillfuneralhome.com. Services are under the care and direction of Seydler-Hill Funeral Home.