Enrique Vela

Enrique Vela, Jr.

Obituary



Enrique Vela, Jr. of Lubbock, Texas, went home to be with Lord on July 24, 2020 at age 76. He was born September 18, 1944, in Kleberg Co, in Kingsville, Texas to Enrique Vela and loving mother Margarita Hinojosa Vela of Kingsville.



Enrique attended Kingsville Elementary until 6th grade when his father took him out of school to work odd jobs in order to help support the family of eight. In 1964, his family moved to Lamesa, where he fell in love with Lilly Macias. They married in 1965 and spent 27 years raising their wonderful blended family. He retired in 2007 as a welder of over 20 years. Enrique and Lilly divorced in 2008, and he then came to live with his daughter and grandson in Lubbock.



Enrique was passionate about his family and fishing. Every chance he got, he would pack up the family and camp out at the closest lake. Every year on spring break, he would drive the family to Kingsvillle, at night after working 8-10 hrs. You see, he found out at night there would be less fighting and stopping to go to the bathroom. Enrique also loved BBQing, cooking, gardening, hunting, and his white chicken Speedy who loved to take naps on his lap.



Enrique had a big smile. Although he was a quiet man, all you had to do is mention the Dallas Cowboys and his face would light up and he would talk for hours.



Enrique was a member of Community Heights Baptist Church, for 4 years. Even though he had given his life to the Lord in his late 20’s, he was rebaptized in 2017 by Pastor Daniel Dominguez, otherwise known as “Tiny.”



Those left to cherish his memory are his sons: Donny R. Hernandez of Odessa, Ambrose D. Hernandez and wife Sydia L. Ramos Hernandez of McAllen, John Joe Hernandez and wife Melinda R. Cardona Hernandez of Kerrville, and daughter Jessica L. Vela Castro and husband Albert Castro, Jr., 17 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren, and his sister Margarita M. Vela Cruz.



He is preceded in death by his father, the inducted Conjunto Music and Tejano Roots Hall of Fame, honored the Best Accordionist in South Texas, also known as, “El Rey Del Chotis” Enrique Vela and his beloved mother, Margarita Hinojosa Vela. His brothers who were a part of his dad’s conjunto, Juan Manuel Vela, on bajo sexto and singer, Ruben H. Vela,on drums, Jose Martin Vela, on bass. His sisters Hermelinda Olivarez and Dorothy Vela.



He loved the Lord and because he loved, he was loved.