Alejandro Saenz Sr.

Alejandro Saenz, Sr. of League City, Texas, passed away on Monday, October 21, 2024, in Houston, Texas, at 75. He was born on Wednesday, March 30, 1949, in Benavides, Texas, to his parents, Jose Saenz and Constancia Olivarez Saenz.
Alejandro, more fondly known as Alex, was born into a working-class family in Benavides, Texas. The son of an oil field worker and Homemaker, Alex, one of ten children, learned the value of service early in life. Like so many family members of that era, he grew up pitching into the family where he could, but he said the time he spent caring for his younger brother Richard most shaped his life. Richard passed away early in life, but Alex's years with his brother taught him to make the most of his life and always provide where he could.
Throughout his life, Alex excelled in both academics and sports. While in high school, he was in the National Honors Society and part of the three-time 14-AAAA district champion Alice Coyotes Football team. It is easy to say that his high school career was a success, but he did not stop there. Alex continued working on his education at Texas A & M in Kingsville (formerly Texas A & I) and graduated with a Masters in Sociology. This was just one of his life's journeys. It took 25 years to complete, but in those 25 years, he also began a 35-year career with Exxon, married his wife of almost 52 years, Maria Ella Saenz, and together they had their four children: Aurora, Alex Jr., Arnold, and Tony.
Alex enjoyed the life he and his wife created, full of travel, music, family get-togethers, and amazing food. He was an accomplished woodworker, often hand building pieces of furniture that are still in use today, and had a passion for growing all types of plants, fruits, and vegetables. Alex lived up to his namesake as his name means the "Defender of men". He provided so much to his friends and family, and he lived a life full of love and respect for all who were close to him.
Alex always found a way to be of service to people. He served his community through work with the Bishop Lion's Club, through his church as a 4 Degree Knight in the Knights of Columbus, singing in the church choir, helping run the church food pantry, and by using his education, after retirement from ExxonMobile, as a substitute teacher and helped develop a mentoring program for ESL students in Clear Creek Independent School District. He dipped his toe into local politics while living in Bishop, Texas, and held many executive or council positions in every organization he worked with. Alex was always a leader to those around him and truly found a way to uplift his community, friends, and family.
Alex was preceded in death by his parents, Jose and Constancia Olivarez Saenz; wife of fifty-one years, Maria Ella Saenz; brothers Rudy Saenz, Ramiro Saenz, Richard Saenz, and Felipe Saenz; as well as his sister Elma Benevides.
Alex is survived by his daughter, Aurora Summa, of Clear Lake, TX, and children Aaron Saenz, Nicholas Summa, Mercedes Summa, and Elena Summa; son Alejandro Saenz Jr of League City, TX; his wife Cybil Joy and their sons Apolonio Pallugna-Saenz, Benicio Pallugna-Saenz, and Alejandro Saenz III; son Arnoldo Saenz of Yakima, WA, his wife Miranda and their sons Matthew Saenz and Andrew Saenz; and son Antonio Saenz, of Seabrook, TX, and his sons Jaxon Saenz, Jude Saenz, and Joshua Saenz; and sisters Esperanza Saenz, Gloria Flores, Silvia Perales, and Diana Ybarra.
The family will receive friends on Wednesday, October 30, 2024, at Crowder Funeral Home, 1645 E Main St, League City, TX 77573, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, with a Holy Rosary to be recited at 7:00 pm that same evening. Another visitation will be held on Thursday, October 31, 2024, at 10:00 am at St. Mary of the Expectation Catholic Church, 1612 E Walker St, League City, TX 77573, with a Funeral Mass conducted by Fr. John Rooney beginning at 11:00 am.
Interment will follow the ceremony at Mount Olivet Catholic Cemetery, 7801 Gulf Freeway, Dickinson, Texas 77539. A reception will follow at St. Mary's Annunciation Hall.