JUDGE CHAPA Obituary
Judge Blas Chapa, joined the "Love of his Life", Socorro Vera Chapa in heaven on May 10, 2010. The Lord said "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Matthew 12:28. He was born on November 29th, 1930 in El Refugio, Starr County, Texas.
Blas was preceded in death by his wife, Socorro, his parents Jose Maria Chapa and Francisca Balderas Chapa.
He is survived by his son; Blas Jr.(Clelia), his daughters; Irasema (Harold) Maxwell and Ileana (Victor V.) Vicinaiz , his sisters; Trinidad Chapa, Marcy (Ruben) Reyes, Maria Bazan (Basilio+) , and his brother Jose (Petra) Chapa. Blas is also survived by his grandchildren; Brianna Maxwell, Blas Chapa III, John Edward Maxwell, Victor V. Vicinaiz II, Sara I. Vicinaiz and Miguel Chapa and numerous nieces and nephews.
Born on the banks of the Rio Grande and into a family of very modest means, Judge Chapa, known to his friends as "Blasito" worked his way through school, walking and bicycling into Rio Grande City to attend school. Like many of his contemporaries he toiled in the fields, hoeing, harvesting vegetables and produce, and picking cotton in the valley and up North.
Upon graduating from high school in 1948 and jobs lacking, Blasito joined the Army. He was trained as a Medic in Kansas and was shipped to Japan and then Korea. He saw much combat and narrowly avoided capture by the Chinese and Koreans. After his return home he was awarded numerous commendations and honorably discharged.
He then began attending Edinburg Jr. College, earning his pay driving a bus from Rio Grande City to Edinburg ferrying other college students. It was there he began courting his future wife, Soccorro Vera. Upon graduating from college he began his career as a school teacher and thereafter principal. He eventually completed his Bachelors Degree at Pan American University and soon thereafter began his life in politics. He served as the Starr County District Clerk and eventually served two terms as Starr County Judge. In addition to teaching the children of Starr County and serving the community, his other interests included assisting others with his bookkeeping services.
He was a well read and well liked man who it could be truly said never met a person he did not like. Although at times a man of controversy he did what he thought was best. Always willing to lend a hand he helped many without compensation and out of the goodness of his heart.
Upon retirement he moved to Edinburg and most recently to Mission. In his later years he enjoyed spending time with his children, grandchildren, relatives and visiting with friends. He will be sorely missed.
Pallbearers will be his sons-in-law: Harold Maxwell and Victor V. Vicinaiz; his nephews: Basilio Bazan, Jr.,Christobal Bazan, Alejandro Bazan and Demetrio Bazan.
Visitation will be at Sanchez Funeral Home today, May 14, 2010 from 1 to 9 p.m. with a 7 p.m. rosary each day. Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 15, 2010, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Rio Grande City. Interment will follow at St. John's Cemetary.
Sanchez Funeral Home of Rio Grande City is in charge of arrangements.
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To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Maria Elena Rodriguez
May 16, 2010
Iliana, I was so sorry to hear of the passing of your father. Please know that my deepest and heartfelt condolences go out to your entire family. Your strong faith will help you get through this difficult time because you know that your dad is now resting in the arms of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. May God continue to bless you and all your loved ones.
Rosalinda & Homero Garcia
May 15, 2010
We were so sorry to hear of your loss. The thoughts of many are with you at this time of sorrow.
Clotilde R Pena
May 14, 2010
Our deep and heartfelt condolences on the loss of your father. He was a wonderful, loyal and trusted friend of Amando Sr. and me. may he rest in peace. along with Socorro.
Good bye Dear Friend
Clotilde R. Pena
& Family
Claudia Salinas
May 14, 2010
Mi mas sentido Pesame a toda su familia. Yo lo conocia como el Tio Blas y el era una persona que sonreia, se miraba alegre todo el tiempo,era muy amable, generoso y respetuoso. Se le va a extranar Sr. Blas. Sinceramente,
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Noelia A. Garza
May 13, 2010
Heartfelt condolences to the Chapa family.
I was Irasema's first grade teacher at the time that her father was principal of Grulla Elementary School.
Blas and I shared a love for poetry and for childhood education.
I am sure that many will long remember the good that Blas strived to do.
May his soul rest in peace.
Mr. & Mrs. Felix R. Garza, Jr.
Irving, Texas
Basilio Bazan Jr
May 13, 2010
You left with a smile, and touched many lives with your gentle heart. You will be dearly missed. And never forgotten.
May 13, 2010
To: Irasema, Ileana and Blasito, Jr. We offer our deepest condolences for the loss of your father. God bless you all and may he join my cousin Socorro in heaven. Blessings, Enelda Saenz Lerma and family.
Joel Garza
May 13, 2010
Goodbye to a gentleman and dear friend. "Que Diosito lo bendiga y lo guarde en el cielo." Our condolences to the Chapa/ Bazan families. Always your brother Joel Garza and family.
Leticia L. Burch
May 13, 2010
To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say...
but first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay.
I'm writing this from heaven. Here I dwell with God above.
Here, there's no more tears of sadness; here is just eternal love.
Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight.
Remember that I'm with you every morning, noon and night.
That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through,
God picked me up and hugged me and He said, "I welcome you."
It's good to have you back again; you were missed while you were gone.
As for your dearest family, they'll be here later on.
I need you here badly; you're part of my plan.
There's so much that we have to do, to help our mortal man.
God gave me a list of things, that he wished for me to do.
And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you.
And when you lie in bed at night, the day's chores put to flight.
God and I are closest to you....in the middle of the night.
When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years
because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears.
But do not be afraid to cry; it does relieve the pain.
Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain.
I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned.
But if I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand.
But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is o'er.
I'm closer to you now, than I ever was before.
There are many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb;
but together we can do it by taking one day at a time.
It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too...
that as you give unto the world, the world will give to you.
If you can help somebody who's in sorrow and pain,
then you can say to God at night......"My day was not in vain."
And now I am contented....that my life has been worthwhile,
knowing as I passed along the way, I made somebody smile.
So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low,
just lend a hand to pick him up, as on your way you go.
When you're walking down the street, and you've got me on your mind;
I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind.
And when it's time for you to go.... from that body to be free,
remember you're not going.....you're coming here to me.
Ruth Ann Mahaffey (author)
©Copyright 1998-2010
May 13, 2010
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this time. Rosemary and Joe Roseland
May 13, 2010
Our heart felt condolences to all your family at this time of grief. Our
prayers are with you. May God be your comforter at this time and
always. Your friend, Eva Ramirez & Family(Edinburg,Tx)
Ramona Diaz
May 13, 2010
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Sincerely,
Ramona Diaz
May 13, 2010
Goodbye to a very dear frind, neighbor, and brother in Christ. I will always remember and cherish your thoughtfullness.
Joe Castillo Mission
norma garza
May 13, 2010
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time of grief May God Bless You All
N. Garza/Rio Grande
Rosendo Ramirez
May 13, 2010
No bond is as great as that between a parent and child. My deepest condolences are with you as you grieve.
May 13, 2010
My deepest and dearest condolences to you at this time. My prayers are with you. Erika and I have some of our fondest childhood memories with Tio Blas and the fantastic family meals and celebrations at his home. We will miss him very much. God Bless you.
Gloria Warfield
May 13, 2010
No bond is as great as that between a parent and child. Our deepest condolences are with you as you grieve.
May 13, 2010
My condolence to the family, My prayers are with you.
Blanca Juarez
GILBERT & NANCY M OBREGON & FAM
May 13, 2010
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Estella Chapa
May 12, 2010
Maria Estella Martinez de Chapa from Chicago, would like to give my condolence to my family in Texas, My prayers are with you.
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301 East 2nd Street, Rio Grande City, TX 78582
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