Rogelio Avila and Carla "Roger" Avila-Gray

1924 - 2023

Rogelio "Roger" Avila and Carla Avila-Gray
September 20, 2023
Rogelio "Roger" Avila 11/01/1924-09/20/2023
Roger Avila passed away peacefully in his home at the age of 98, just 41 days shy of his 99th birthday. He was born in San Pedro, California, the oldest of 10 children.
Roger lived a full and wonderful life. At the age of 17, while living in Mexico City, Roger worked as a portrait photographer. There, he met his future wife and mother of his children, Rebecca. It was love at first sight. Soon, military service called him to duty. Roger served with the Ejército Mexicano (the Mexican Armed Forces) for almost 2 years before they realized he was an American citizen. They subsequently sent him to the United States to serve. In the US, he
trained at Fort Sam Houston and became a certified rifleman and watchmaker. Military service took him to Japan where he serviced ship's clocks and other time pieces. He was awarded Asiatic Pacific campaign medal for good conduct during the occupation of Japan, and the Victory occupation medal in 1946. After the war, he spent time in San Antonio but returned to Mexico City to collect his future wife Rebecca. A short time later, the Avilas found themselves calling San
Antonio home. Always the hard worker, Roger found success. He began on E. Commerce in St. Paul square as a jeweler at King Jewelry where he soon got the nickname "Mr. King". In 1962 he opened his own Pawn Shop, Imperial Loan and Jewelry Co. In 1985, with the help of his daughter, Alma Galo and son in law, Joe Galo, Roger opened a second location on San Pedro called Imperial North Loan and Jewelry. Shortly thereafter, his son, Norman Avila joined the family business. As a businessman, he was well liked and honest. He was known to be respectful of every customer that walked though his door. In 2016, at the age of 92, Roger finally retired.
Roger had 5 children: Alma Avila Galo, Norman Rene Avila, Belinda Cheaney, Carla Avila-Gray and Brandon Avila; and 8 grandchildren: Zachary Avila with wife Robin, Erika Galo Drew with husband Wesley Drew, Austin Gray, Donovan Gray, Elijah Gray, Donovan Avila, Cecily Cheaney and Lauren Cheaney Mamaril with husband Danny Mamaril and step daughter Lily Mamaril; and 4 (soon to be 5) great grandchildren: Jasper Avila and Sophia Avila, Natalia Drew and Micaela Drew, with one the way, Owen Mamaril. Roger is survived by all but Carla Avila-Gray, who passed the same evening as her father. He was preceded by his wife Rebecca.

Carla Avila-Gray 09/11/1958 - 09/20/2023
Carla Avila-Gray passed away in her father's home after a year-long battle with cancer, just 9 days after her 65th birthday. Her passing remains a shock to everyone, as Carla was known for her youth and vitality. Carla was loved by all that knew her. She had a reputation as a talented teacher, artist, nature lover, and amateur scientist. For the last 18 years Carla taught at Cactus Ranch Elementary in Round Rock, Texas. At the elementary school, she shared her love of Science and Art with students of all grades. Carla began her love affair with art at a young age. She is known for her drawing, sketching, painting, clay work, and photography. She could make art out of anything. She drew inspiration from her favorite artists (such as Frida Kahlo,
Diego Rivera, Pablo Picasso, and Salvador Dali) and found beauty in nature: from birds and butterflies to mythical creatures of her own creation. Carla was even featured on the local news where she demonstrated her talent making traditional Mexican sugar skulls (calaveras). She was an inspiration to anyone dreamt of being an artist. That talent blossomed at a young age. In high school she sculpted the larger than life sized Oliver Wendell Holmes Huskies mascot which the school paraded at football games and functions. That sculpture was cherished by the school
for years beyond her graduation. Carla loved cheering on her alma mater the UTSA Roadrunners. But her love for all creatures great and small was beyond measure.
Carla is survived by her husband, Herb Gray and their 3 children: Austin, Devan, and Elijah
Carla, we are thankful that your pain is over, but shall forever miss you.
Memorial Service:
at The Mission Park Dominion Chapel.
Saturday October 14th
A Solar Eclipse Viewing at 11:30AM
Service at 12:00PM