Pedro (Pete) R. Avelar

Pedro Reyna “Pete” Avelar died on July 24, 2025, in San Antonio, Texas surrounded by family members.  

He was preceded in death by his parents, Rudolph Avelar, Sr. and Cruz Avelar; his sister, Maria Theresa; his brothers, Edward Avelar and Rudolph Avelar, Jr; his brother-in-law Isaac Martinez; his sisters-in-law Rosario Avelar and Rosalinda Avelar; and his niece, Cynthia Martinez. 

He is survived by his brothers, Lawrence Avelar (Bartolo Galvan) and Andrew Avelar; as well as numerous nephews, nieces, grandnieces, grandnephews, and one great-grandniece. 

Pete was born in San Antonio on December 8, 1945, as the fourth child in his family.  Pete graduated from Fox Tech High School and went on to join the United Stated Army Reserves. After his time as an Army reservist, Pete moved to Seattle, Washington, where he lived for over 20 years. During his time there, he became a fan of the Seahawks football team and Mariners baseball team, and had a successful career in bilingual services with Bank of America.  After retirement, Pete returned to San Antonio to spend more time with his family and old friends.  Thanks to his brother Rudy’s career with the Houston Grand Opera, Pete developed his own love for the arts and traveled to venues across the country to enjoy opera performances.

Pete loved being an uncle, and he was a frequent attendee at his nieces and nephews school events and sports games.  Pete often offered to take the kids in his family to the Malt House, and welcomed any other kids in the neighborhood to tag long.  He was encouraging and supportive to the children in his family, and made it a point to let all of them know he was proud of them. 

Pete was an affable man and he found it very easy to make friends wherever he went.  Pete was quick to strike up a conversation with strangers as if he knew them for a lifetime.  He was rarely seen without a smile on his face, and he earned the trust of countless friends and neighbors with his pleasant demeanor and dedication to his loved ones.  Though he loved to find himself on an airplane traveling to many parts of the country, Pete was happiest to be with his family members and his dog Lacey.  He will be missed dearly. 

The Avelar family would like to thank Henry Sanchez, the Sanchez family, and Pete’s neighbor Jorge Dedier for assisting Pete during his last days.  

Visitation at 5:00 pm on Monday, July 28. Angelus Funeral Home, 1119 N Saint Mary’s St. San Antonio, TX 78215 followed by Recitation of the Holy Rosary at 6:30 pm. 

Funeral Mass at 10:00 am on Tuesday, July 29. St Gregory the Great Catholic Church. 700 Dewhurst, 78213 followed by burial with military honors at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery at 1:45 pm.