Ralph S. Castillo, age 82, passed away on March 15, 2018, in Austin, Texas, with his family by his side. He was born on June 29, 1935 to Rafael and Hortencia Castillo in Beeville, Texas, the oldest of 4 boys.
Ralph grew up in Corpus Christi, and graduated from Roy Miller High School, where he excelled on the Buccaneers football team, and met his future wife. He proudly carried a Masters Plumber’s License for over 50 years, having worked his way up from working with his Dad in the field, to supervising crews on large projects, to running his own Contracting Company (The Castillo Company), and eventually settling in as Construction Project Manager for the San Benito Independent School District.
Ralph was lucky enough to have married his high school sweetheart; he told her he would marry her when he was 16. Young Josie was unnerved to hear that on their first phone call, but she eventually came around. Ralph and his lovely bride celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary in 2017. Along the way, they busily raised 5 children, taking them to endless events at school, scouts, church, sports, and college, while making their homes in Corpus Christi, Harlingen, and Austin. Over the years, he still managed to find time for family trips to the beach, fishing, and vacations from Florida to California in a car packed with 5 restless kids.
Ralph was a loving son, brother, husband, father, uncle, grandfather, and great-grandfather, who loved spending time with his family, especially his kids and grandchildren. He will always be remembered for teaching the kids football or baseball after a hard day at work in his younger days. In his later years, he could be seen popping up at school and church kid’s events with a camera, and shooting lots of pictures of everything. He could happily talk to a little kid longer than most folks on the planet, and everyone remembers his always changing, signature scary stories about kids and trucks. Folks that knew him well, remember him for his optimism, patience, kindness, and his ability to fix anything. To the end, he was amusing the medical staff by offering helpful advice to help them with their work and machines.
Ralph is preceded in death by his Father, Mother, and brother Richard Castillo; he is survived by his wife, Josie Castillo; his brothers, Rudy Castillo and Rene Castillo; his children Ralph Castillo Jr (III), Linda Hernandez, Paul Castillo, Christopher Castillo, Patrick Castillo, his children’s spouses; and 11 grandchildren, and 5 great grandchildren.
Visitation will be held from 5 pm to 7 pm on Friday March 23, 2018 at Seaside Funeral Home Chapel in Corpus Christi, with a Rosary to follow at 7pm, also at Seaside Funeral Home Chapel.
A Mass will be celebrated at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Corpus Christi, at 11 am on Saturday, March 24, 2018, with Interment to follow, at Seaside Memorial Park.
Pallbearers will be Ralph Castillo III., Paul Castillo, Christopher Castillo, Patrick Castillo, Ralph Castillo IV, and Joshua Castillo.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Meals on Wheels, or Habitat for Humanity.
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