Obituary for Alexander "Hondo" Magallanez
Alejandro “Hondo” Magallanez
Alejandro Magallanez, known to family and friends as Hondo, passed away peacefully on Thursday, November 7, 2019, in Hondo, TX at the age of 78 years.
Hondo was a hard worker starting at an early age. He worked alongside his family as a migrant field worker, for “la pollera” (the Bullock chicken plant in Luling), and in the meatpacking industry in Palestine. In 1967, he began his career with Southern Pacific Railroad as a welder helper, where he was a member of the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees. It was also with the railroad that Hondo discovered a passion for cooking. It was well known among family and friends that one did not leave his presence hungry. Hondo will always be remembered for his breakfast meals, mostly breakfast tacos. He started the tradition of making fajitas at the annual Luling Watermelon Thump in the 1970s for the League of United Latin American Citizens #652, while also serving as its president.
Hondo was an avid gardener, sharing his bounty of tomatoes, hot peppers and especially multitudes of squash with neighbors, family, friends, and even strangers. Among his hobbies, he loved building barbecue pits from scrap metal. His creative mind was literally welded to his passion for cooking. But his yard was his biggest obsession: Hondo regularly mowed his yard. And his neighbor’s. And anyone he believed just needed their yard mowed.
Hondo was born in McClennan County, Texas on July 17, 1941, to Bonifacio and Paula Magallanez and baptized in the Catholic Church. He will be forever remembered by his four darling daughters: Patricia (John) Magallanez-Basquez of Luling, Debbie Nuñez, of Luling, Jo Ann (Jim) McClendon of Weatherford, TX, and Yvonne Magallanez of Owensboro, KY. He was affectionally known as Grandpa Hondo, G-Pa, and Dad to Aaron (Courtney) Magallanez, Josiah Nuñez, Alex Nuñez, Alia Nuñez, and Ali McClendon and one great-granddaughter, Kinsley Magallanez. He was a loving brother to sister Elpidia (Martin) Campos, and brothers, Manuel (Petra) Magallanez, Bonifacio (Maria Herminia) Magallanez Jr, Julian (Magdalena) Magallanez, and Juan Magallanez, all of Luling. Hondo is predeceased by his parents and infant brothers Gregorio, Damacio, and Pablito. There are numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and other family members too great to mention that he fondly remembered, including the mother of his daughters, Janie Deleon Magallanez of Gonzales, TX.
Hondo is also survived by his long-time companion, Elida “Lela” Trenidad, and her extended family of Hondo, TX. Hondo’s girls and family would like to extend a special thank you to Lela and her family for their loving support and help provided Hondo during his illness and passing. Their comfort and compassion are greatly appreciated.
Services provided by O’Bannon Funeral Home of Luling included visitation Friday, November 8, 2019, from 5:00-9:00, with the recitation of the Most Holy Rosary at 7:00. Ritual Mass was celebrated at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Luling, TX with Father Howard Goertz presiding. Serving as pallbearers were Aaron Magallanez, Josiah Nuñez, Alex Nuñez, Rene Magallanez, Abel Magallanez, and Shane Moczygemba.
Alejandro Magallanez, known to family and friends as Hondo, passed away peacefully on Thursday, November 7, 2019, in Hondo, TX at the age of 78 years.
Hondo was a hard worker starting at an early age. He worked alongside his family as a migrant field worker, for “la pollera” (the Bullock chicken plant in Luling), and in the meatpacking industry in Palestine. In 1967, he began his career with Southern Pacific Railroad as a welder helper, where he was a member of the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees. It was also with the railroad that Hondo discovered a passion for cooking. It was well known among family and friends that one did not leave his presence hungry. Hondo will always be remembered for his breakfast meals, mostly breakfast tacos. He started the tradition of making fajitas at the annual Luling Watermelon Thump in the 1970s for the League of United Latin American Citizens #652, while also serving as its president.
Hondo was an avid gardener, sharing his bounty of tomatoes, hot peppers and especially multitudes of squash with neighbors, family, friends, and even strangers. Among his hobbies, he loved building barbecue pits from scrap metal. His creative mind was literally welded to his passion for cooking. But his yard was his biggest obsession: Hondo regularly mowed his yard. And his neighbor’s. And anyone he believed just needed their yard mowed.
Hondo was born in McClennan County, Texas on July 17, 1941, to Bonifacio and Paula Magallanez and baptized in the Catholic Church. He will be forever remembered by his four darling daughters: Patricia (John) Magallanez-Basquez of Luling, Debbie Nuñez, of Luling, Jo Ann (Jim) McClendon of Weatherford, TX, and Yvonne Magallanez of Owensboro, KY. He was affectionally known as Grandpa Hondo, G-Pa, and Dad to Aaron (Courtney) Magallanez, Josiah Nuñez, Alex Nuñez, Alia Nuñez, and Ali McClendon and one great-granddaughter, Kinsley Magallanez. He was a loving brother to sister Elpidia (Martin) Campos, and brothers, Manuel (Petra) Magallanez, Bonifacio (Maria Herminia) Magallanez Jr, Julian (Magdalena) Magallanez, and Juan Magallanez, all of Luling. Hondo is predeceased by his parents and infant brothers Gregorio, Damacio, and Pablito. There are numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and other family members too great to mention that he fondly remembered, including the mother of his daughters, Janie Deleon Magallanez of Gonzales, TX.
Hondo is also survived by his long-time companion, Elida “Lela” Trenidad, and her extended family of Hondo, TX. Hondo’s girls and family would like to extend a special thank you to Lela and her family for their loving support and help provided Hondo during his illness and passing. Their comfort and compassion are greatly appreciated.
Services provided by O’Bannon Funeral Home of Luling included visitation Friday, November 8, 2019, from 5:00-9:00, with the recitation of the Most Holy Rosary at 7:00. Ritual Mass was celebrated at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Luling, TX with Father Howard Goertz presiding. Serving as pallbearers were Aaron Magallanez, Josiah Nuñez, Alex Nuñez, Rene Magallanez, Abel Magallanez, and Shane Moczygemba.