Donald L. Bonham

DONALD L. BONHAM, 74, passed away on April 5, 2003 after a lengthy illness. He was born on July 1, 1928 in Corpus Christi, Texas to Otha and Gladys Bonham. He grew up working in his father's grocery store. In 1950, Mr. Bonham began his own chain, Bonham's Foods, and when he sold the chain in 1961, he had built fourteen stores across South Texas.      In 1963, Mr. Bonham accepted a consultant's position for the Inter-American Development Bank of Santiago, Chili. He assisted the Chilean Government in building a chain of supermarkets and improving food distribution within the country.      In May of 1972, Mr. Bonham and his partner, O. C. Mendenhall, opened the first Fiesta Mart grocery store in Houston. Known today as "the fun place to shop," Fiesta Mart has forty-nine locations across the state of Texas and provides the international shopper with a taste of home. Affectionately known by many as "Mr. B", he retired as President of Fiesta Mart, Inc. in 1992. Mr. Bonham's true passion in life was his work at Fiesta and the Fiesta family of employees. He would be the first to attribute the success of Fiesta to the dedicated and loyal employees of the company. Mr. B would want the Fiesta family to know the special place in his heart that each of them held and his sincere appreciation for their commitment to Fiesta.      Mr. Bonham will be remembered for his understanding of various cultures, his empathy for people, and his desire to help others realize their dreams. He was a very generous, humble man who received great joy from his countless philanthropic efforts, especially when he was involved with educational endeavors.      Donald's memory will live on in the hearts of his wife Ilsa Pena Bonham; his daughters, Nancy Bonham Holt and husband E.M., Rhonda Bonham Goss and husband Randy, and Brenda Bonham Gerland; Grandchildren, Julie Clawson, Alan and Kyle Goss, and Zach and Trevor Gerland; his Step-Sons, Santiago Zamudio and wife Olga, Luis Zamudio and wife Debbie; his Step-Grandchildren, Santiago III, John Paul, Michael Luis, and Kristin Zamudio; and with his Aunts, Natalie Inge and Alicia Inge. In addition, the family wishes to express their gratitude and appreciation to the dedicated caregivers for their professional and loving care for Donald.      The family will receive friends from 2 until 7 o'clock in the evening on Tuesday, the 8th of April 2003, in the library of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston. A Memorial Service will be conducted at 2 o'clock in the afternoon on Wednesday, the 9th of April 2003, at Unity Church of Christianity, located at 2909 Unity Drive at Hillcroft Avenue in Houston, with the Reverend Howard E. Caesar officiating.      Because of Mr. Bonham's strong support for education, the family has requested, that in lieu of usual remembrances, memorial donations may be made to the Donald Bonham Scholarship, c/o University of Houston Downtown (UHD), One Main Street, 621-S, Houston, Texas, 77002.