Robert Velez

Robert David Velez, known as Bobby, Beto, Bob, and Mr. Bob was born February 11, 1939 in El Paso, Texas and passed to his greater glory on August 28, 2025. He was born to Raquel Loera Velez and Simon O. Velez. He was brother to Joel (d), Norma (d), Graciela (d) and Efraim (d). He attended El Paso public schools, graduated from Bowie High School and attended Texas Western College. As an eighth grader he was asked to join the Bowie marching band, starting a career of music where he played clarinet, tenor and alto saxophone in the marching band. He went on to play in dance bands, one of which was the Rhythm Heirs.

He served in the U.S. Army and while in Germany, formed a band and played in his spare time.

Beto married Margarita Barrera in 1961 and for 64 years lived a life of love, travel and sacrifice. They were blessed with four children Robert D. Velez II (Monika), Laura Marie Scagno (John), Michael C. Velez (Monica), Vince Patrick Velez, and a niece Bianca May Morales (Carlos) who is like a second daughter. They have five grandchildren, Victor Diaz Jr., Michael C. Velez II, Monique Hernandez (Jose), Michelle S. Velez, and David M. Velez. He is survived by in-laws Angie and Frank Ortega, Carmen Velez and Irma Velez and many, many nephews and nieces.

After the Army, Bob joined the El Paso Fire Department, was a Border Patrol Agent and retired as an Immigration and Naturalization Service Deportation Officer. He was an artist with a penchant for cartoons, his pen would capture moments that made family and friends smile, laugh out loud or sometimes frown. As a tenor saxman, he blew a mean horn in rock and roll and jazz that made folks jump up to dance. A man of character, his legacy remains in his family who will cherish the life spent with him and treasure the memories to help endure the loss.