Dr. Gerard Roland Vela

Dr. Gerard Roland Vela passed away peacefully at his home Tuesday, January 26, 2021. He was born to Marcial and Maria Guadalupe (Muzquiz) Vela on September 18, 1927 in Eagle Pass, Texas. Roland married Emma Lamar Codina in 1953.

Dr. Vela was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II. After the war, he attended the University of Texas and earned his Bachelor's and Master's degrees. Eight years later, he returned to the University of Texas and earned his PhD in Microbiology and Biochemistry. In 1965, he moved to Denton, where he joined the faculty of North Texas State University. During his 35 year tenure at North Texas, Dr. Vela taught Microbiology classes, directed the research of 20 Doctoral students, 44 Masters students, published 75 research papers, and served five years as Associate Dean of Science and Technology. He maintained a national and international reputation in Microbiology having chaired many high profile committees, taught at universities throughout the world, and consulted to promote ecological remediation in commercial environments. He served as the first Hispanic City Council member in Denton and was a founding member of the Firehouse Theater Group. He was a member of the Airport Advisory Board, the Board of Directors of the Texas Municipal Power Agency, the Denton Forum, the Board of Directors of Ann's Haven Hospice of Denton, and the Board of Directors of Our Daily Bread. He was involved in the Denton County Cooperative Agency and the Flow Health Care Foundation. Dr. Vela was named one of the Outstanding 100 Texas Latinos of the Twentieth Century by Texas Latino Magazine in the year 2000. He published Microbiology textbooks as well as history books on Bernardo de Galvez (a copy of which he presented to Prince Phillip, later crowned King of Spain) and Antonio Lopez de Santa Ana. Because of his devotion to civic duty and work in the promotion of education in the Hispanic community, the city of Denton, working with the Denton LULAC Council, named the G. Roland Vela Athletic Center after him. His accomplishments, his students, and his intellect are enduring and will continue to exemplify the very best in science and in humanity.

Dr. Vela is preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife Emma, son Jerry (Anne), daughter Anna Maria Trier (Mark), daughter Yolanda Vorel (Emerson), son Jaime, seven grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:

Dr. G. Roland Vela Memorial Scholarship Fund

LULAC Council 4366

P.O. Box 981

Denton, TX 76201

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the visitation and funeral service will be private. The Funeral Mass will be live-streamed at 11:00am on Monday, February 1 on https://fb.me/e/K8QnSa47.

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Published by Denton Record-Chronicle from Jan. 30 to Jan. 31, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for Gerard Vela

Sponsored by Bill DeBerry Funeral Directors - Denton.

10 Entries

Marilyn Mays

January 26, 2024

Roland and Emma were so proud of their children and were very involved in their activities. The couple had many opportunities to travel due to Roland's international involvement in his profession. Roland would invite us to come over to see the pictures of their most recent trip because he knew we loved to travel and loved to see and hear about theirs. And we knew there would always be a bonus--every travellog would be proceeded by many, many pictures of Jamie playing soccer.

Brian Donovan

February 21, 2021

Love you Roland and all the Velas! Thank you for recruiting my father to Denton as chair of Biology. He loved his time at UNT. My mother Donna wants to send her condolences and well wishes to Emma and the family. She told she me that was impressed with him and you the first time you met in Corpus Christi at the Gulf Coast Conference. I really enjoyed the book about Santa Anna! Rest in Power Roland Vela.

Jeanette

February 10, 2021

So very sorry for your loss, I remember he and my Dad played a lot of soccer together in their day .

Marilyn Mays-Shelp

February 1, 2021

Roland created such a full life with his wonderful life partner, Emma, and he loved sharing it--his remarkable children, his laughter, his love of people, his knowledge of science, his travels, his philosophy of life. Those of us who were fortunate to share any part of it had richer lives because of it. The only way we can cope with the void he left us with is to try to fill it with memories and love and laughter. Phil and I will keep his loved ones in our thoughts and prayers.

Bo Wright

February 1, 2021

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Ryan and Jennifer Poyner

February 1, 2021

Sending our prayers, love and condolences to Aunt Emma and family.

Dana Miller

January 31, 2021

Yolanda and family, he was truly a pioneer and I know you will miss him very much. He had a huge heart for helping others and he put that into action. What a great legacy you have. Condolences to you all.

Robert Darling

January 31, 2021

The world has lost a great man, father, humanitarian and friend. He was so loved and will be so missed but never forgotten.

Will Senn

January 30, 2021

Rolando had a great sense of humor, enjoyed living, and shared his wealth of knowledge and experience freely. I will miss sharing the enjoyment of the grande cuisine at El Chapparal with him. We had many a philosophical walkabout together there with our other like minded amigos y amigas. We will all miss his company.

Bill DeBerry, Jr. & Andrew DeBerry

January 30, 2021

Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.

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