Arnaldo Nelson Cavazos Sr.

On May 10, 2009, ARNALDO NELSON CAVAZOS, SR. died in Dallas, Texas; he was 91 years old and affectionately known as "Paw Paw." His family celebrates his life of kindness, love and generosity. They will all miss him greatly, especially his laughter and joy of life. Paw Paw is survived by his wife Ila Mae Rinn Cavazos. They married in the "Chapel in the Woods" on the campus of TWU in Denton, Texas on December 28, 1946 after he had been honorably discharged from the U.S. Army. Paw Paw is also survived by two children and their spouses, five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren: his daughter Deborah Cavazos Safi, her husband Dr. Hazim J. Safi and their son Jawad Joseph Safi live in Houston and their daughter Aminah Mae Safi, who is graduating this week from USC, lives in Los Angeles; Paw Paw's son Arnaldo Nelson Cavazos, Jr. and his wife Rose Mary Graham Cavazos live in Dallas. Paw Paw's eldest grandson Arnaldo Nelson Cavazos, III, his wife Sandy Marie Cavazos and their children Colette (6) and Caleb (5) live in Philadelphia; Paw Paw's other granddaughter Heather Cavazos Goerke, her husband Dr. Aaron Goerke and their daughter Hadley (2) also live in Philadelphia. Paw Paw's grandson Peter Cavazos and his wife Tara Thompson Cavazos live in Dallas. Paw Paw founded and had controlling interest in two businesses, an export business known as EMECO and a gourmet Mexican food manufacturer known as Churro Corporation with the trade name of Adobe House; both operated out of Dallas. Paw Paw was born in Montemorelos, Mexico; his father was Alfredo Cavazos (1887-1949), who had been the pastor of Primera Iglesia Bautista of Mexico City and Monterrey, Mexico and San Antonio, Texas during the 20's, 30's and 40's. His mother, who lived with Paw Paw for the last ten years of her life, was Flora Cantu Cavazos (1892-1983). Paw Paw is survived by only one brother, Mario T. Cavazos of Henderson, Texas. Paw Paw had three other brothers: Alex Cavazos of Dallas (1915-1996); Alfred (Oliver) Cavazos of Dallas (1919-2004); and Nelson Cavazos of Morehead, Minnesota (1921-1994); and two sisters: Gloria Cavazos Caneer of San Antonio (1913-1973) and Austreberta Cavazos Gass of North Carolina (1914-1987). Services will be held on Monday, May 18, 2009, at 10:00 a.m. in the Wildwood Chapel at Restland Memorial Park, 13005 Greenville Ave., Dallas, Texas 75243. In lieu of sending flowers, you may send donations to Dallas Theological Seminary, 3909 Swiss Ave., Dallas, TX 75204; Memorial Hermann Foundation, 9401 Southwest Frwy., Ste. 401, Houston, TX 77074; the National Parkinson Foundation, 1501 NW 9th Ave., Miami, FL 33136; or to the charity of your choice.