Dr. Jose Cavazos Jr.

Dr. Jose Cavazos, Jr.

May 24, 1931 – November 2, 2025

Dr. Jose Cavazos, Jr., a beloved educator, veteran, and community leader, passed away peacefully on November 2, 2025, at the age of 94. Born in Realitos, Texas, to Jose and Antonia P. Cavazos, Dr. Cavazos rose from humble beginnings to become a pillar of strength, wisdom, and service within the Corpus Christi community.

A proud patriot, Dr. Cavazos served his country with honor as a Staff Sergeant in the United States Air Force during the Korean War, stationed in London, England. His commitment to service extended beyond the military and into the realm of education, where he found his true calling. After his military service, he pursued higher education with unwavering determination, ultimately being the first Hispanic in Corpus Christi to earn his Ed.D. in Education from the University of Houston in 1973.

Dr. Cavazos dedicated his entire life to the enrichment of young minds and the betterment of his community. His career with the Corpus Christi Independent School District spanned over 4 decades, during which time he served in various campus and central administration roles including campus Assistant Principal, Principal, and Director of Elementary and Secondary principals. His influence shaped countless lives, and his legacy continues through the many students and educators he mentored.

Beyond the classroom, Dr. Cavazos was deeply involved in both civic and community organizations. Serving as a coach for his son's baseball team, his involvement in Boy Scouts; he was also a member of the American Legion, LULAC, and proudly served on the Board of the Neighborhood Center. His commitment to education and community welfare was evident in his role as a board member of Coast Life Credit Union, where he served faithfully for 25 years until May, 2025 advocating for the needs of educators and families in the Coastal Bend.

Following his retirement from CCISD's central administration, Dr. Cavazos continued to share his knowledge and commitment to education serving as an adjunct professor at Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi where he supervised student teachers. His Catholic faith, instilled by his beloved mother, served as the cornerstone of his life, guiding him through challenges and triumphs alike. He prayed daily to Mary, Our Blessed Mother, seeking grace and strength to persevere with courage, humility, and endless compassion.

Dr. Cavazos is now reunited in eternal rest with his beloved son, J. Homer Cavazos; his lovely wife and mother of his children, Minerva Estrada Cavazos; his parents, Jose and Antonia P. Cavazos; his sisters Ofelia Cavazos Canales (Abel), Cidelia Cavazos Guajardo (Corando), Pauline Cavazos Duron (Manuel); and his brothers-in-law Raymond Ramirez and Usbaldo Guerra.

He leaves behind a legacy of love, service, and wisdom, cherished by his loving and devoted wife, Maria Elena Cavazos; his daughter, Norma N. Reyna (Frank Reyna, III); his grandsons, Jared S. Cavazos and Nicholas A. Cavazos; his sisters, Oralia Marie Cavazos Ramirez, Janie Cavazos Guerra, and Idalia Cavazos Jaime; and a host of extended family members, friends, and colleagues who were blessed to know him.

A public visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 9, 2025, at Seaside Funeral Home Chapel with a Rosary to begin at 7:00 p.m. that same day. Visitation will resume on Monday, November 10, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at Most Precious Blood Catholic Church with a Funeral Mass to follow at 11:30 a.m. Burial will follow at 1:00 p.m. at Seaside Memorial Park.

Dr. Cavazos' life was a testament to the power of perseverance, faith, and selfless servitude. His memory will live on in the hearts of all who were blessed to have known him.