Refugio Hurtado

Refugio Hurtado passed away peacefully on Thursday May 1st, 2014 , surrounded by his loving family.

Funeral Mass will be Tuesday, May 6th at 11:00 am at St Francis Catholic Church, 315 Jefferson Ave, Waco, Texas. Burial will be at Oakwood Cemetery in Waco following the Mass. Visitation and rosary will be held at Oakcrest Funeral Home in Waco at 7 pm on Monday May 5th.

Refugio Hurtado was born August 11, 1917 in Mexico to the late Juan and Tiburcia Hurtado. His family immigrated to the United States and eventually settled near Waco, Texas. As a young man, he and several of his brothers played baseball for a central Texas team, and he carried the enjoyment of the game throughout his life, being particularly fond of the Texas Rangers. He began his college studies at Baylor University, where he also played baseball for the Baylor Bears. When World War II began, he interrupted his studies to join the U.S. Navy, serving honorably in the Pacific Theater. After the war, he returned to Waco where he met and subsequently married Victoria Mancillas on December 26, 1948, a marriage which lasted over 59 years to her passing in 2008. After the war, Refugio resumed his education at Baylor, earning both Bachelors and Masters degrees while there. At Baylor, he was a member of the Newman Club and Sigma Delta Pi. He worked and raised his family of six children in Waco, serving as a Principal and teacher at St. Francis school and then joining Sears, retiring in 1983. In 1984 he moved to Benbrook to be closer to his grandchildren. His love for family was immeasurable, and he will be greatly missed.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Victoria Hurtado; daughter Barbara Hurtado Cook; son Alfred Hurtado; brothers Albert, Ascension, Julio, and Joe Hurtado; sisters Hope Lopez, Mary Reyes, and Lorenza Amaro.

He is survived by his sons John Hurtado of Benbrook and Anthony Hurtado (Anita) of Kaufman; daughters Patricia Odneal (Richard) of Fort Worth and Gina Harper (Brad) of Austin; sisters Janie Almanza and Pauline Ruiz, both of Waco; brothers Lyon, Steve, and Felix Hurtado, all of Waco; also thirteen grandchildren, three great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Special thanks for their care and compassion to the staff at Kindred Transitional Care Facility in Fort Worth, especially, long time nurses Jennifer Rodriguez and Lisa Richter.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to St. Francis Catholic Church Social Ministries, 315 Jefferson Ave, Waco, Texas 76701
.