Jose Antonio Hidalgo Sr.

JOSE ANTONIO HIDALGO SR. 87, affectionately known as Pepin to friends and Pop to his family passed on to be with the Lord on December 14, 2008. He was born in Havana, Cuba on March 13, 1922. Attended Lincoln Prep school in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1944. Returned back to Havana to establish his own automobile business and married Eva Debasa December 28, 1947. Returned back to the United States in 1957 before the Castro take over and settled in Miami, Florida for 5 years. Moved to Houston, Texas with his wife and two sons in 1962 where he and the family became naturalized U.S. citizens. Pepin continued in his passion for automobiles and became a member of the Houston Automobile Independant Dealers Association (HIADA) in 1965 and later an independant automobile wholesaler until 1993 when he retired. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and a true friend to many. Pepin is leaving us with many wonderful memories for us to cherish forever. He is survived by his wife Eva and his son and daughter- in- law Jose and Fran Hidalgo Jr. of Athens, Alabama. Son and daughter- in- law Juan and Cathy Hidalgo of Pearland, Texas. His sister Teresa Ribera of Houston, Texas, two nephews Francisco Ribera of Katy, Texas and Marcos Ribera of Albuequerque, New Mexico and great niece Julia Ribera of Katy, Texas. Grandaughters Megan and husband Stephen Ungarean of League City, Texas and Tara and husband Saul Rodriguez of Pearland, Texas and Great Grandchildren Sara and Noah Rodriguez. Visitation will be held on Thursday, December 18, 2008 from 5-7 p.m. Funeral service will be held Friday, December 19, 2008 at 3:00 p.m. Both services will be held at Forest Park East Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Forest Park East Cemetery. The family would like to thank the staff at Houston Hospice for their exceptional and loving care. The family wishes that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Houston Hospice, 1905 Holcombe Blvd. Houston, Texas 77030-4123. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The Methodist Hospital Foundation, P. O. Box 4384, Houston 77210-4384, in support of the Methodist Cancer Center or to Clear Lake United Methodist Church building fund.