Rogelio Botello

1942 - 2017

Donna - Rogelio Botello, 75, of Donna, Texas, passed away on May 3, 2017.

Rogelio Botello was born in Camargo, Tamaulipas, Mexico to Manuel and Higinia Botello on January 25, 1942. He married Isabel Garcia on March 29, 1964 in their hometown of Camargo. He graduated from The School of Commerce and Administration of Monterrey in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico, with a diploma in Commercial Banking, but soon fell in love with radio broadcasting.

His broadcasting career began in 1961 in Radio Station X.E.Z.D. in Camargo, Tamaulipas, Mexico. In 1967, he joined the announcing staff of KGBT Radio in Harlingen, Texas, and in 1971, he was promoted to Program Director. He maintained a radio show from 2 until 3 p.m. weekdays, and participated in daily newscasts. From 1990 to February of 1998 he also served as the Program Director for KIWW. He had served as Operation Manager of KGBT/KIWW.

Throughout his career, he had received numerous recognitions. He was named Program Director of the Year by Radio and Music Magazine and received a nomination by Billboard Magazine for Program Director of the Year. He also achieved Program Director of the Year from Tichenor Media System. Rogelio was also awarded a Hispanic Excellence Award from Kenneth White Jr. High School in Mission Texas. The City of Hidalgo named Rogelio as U.S. Ambassador of International Goodwill as part of their Hidalgo Borderfest Celebration. The Cameron County Bar Association gave Rogelio a special recognition award for his 25 years of dedication to the radio show "Despacho Juridico" which provided legal orientation for the community with U.S. District Judge Filemon Vela. From 1968 to 2005, Rogelio served as Host/Producer of the weekly show "Aqui...Rogelio" which aired on KGBT T.V. Channel 4, which served the community by providing entertainment, and allowed organizations around the Rio Grande Valley an opportunity to provide public service announcements. Rogelio was inducted into the Tejano Music Hall of Fame in 1999, and into the Texas Conjunto Music Hall of Fame in 2011.

Rogelio Botello will be remembered for his loyalty to family and work, punctuality, professionalism, high standards, and the Houston Astros. He loved his family and always expressed the need for unity.

Rogelio Botello is preceded in death by his parents, Manuel and Higinia, brothers, Rubio and Ruben, sisters, Elida Botello, Ofelia Yanez, Leonor Castillo, and Emilda Rodriguez.

Rogelio Botello is survived by his wife, Mrs. Isabel G. Botello, and their 4 sons, Manuel, Rogelio Jr. (Laura), Jorge Alberto (Melissa), and Javier (Kara). He is also survived by his sisters, Ninfa Solis Villa, and Imelda "Nelly" Hinojosa. He is survived by his two grandchildren, Marco Alberto Botello and Julian Botello.

Visitation will be from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, May 5, 2017 at Hawkins Funeral Home in Donna, Texas. The Rosary will be Friday, May 5, 2017 at 7 p.m. at Hawkins Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be held at 8 a.m. on Saturday, May 6, 2017 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Donna, Texas, with Monsignor Juan Nicolau as the celebrant. Burial will follow at Val Verde Memorial Gardens at 9 a.m.

Funeral services are under the direction of Hawkins Funeral Home in Donna.

Please sign the guest book at www.hawkinsfh.com

The family wishes to extend our sincere thanks to everyone that supported Rogelio's career in radio and television and wish to close with a phrase that he would use to say during most broadcasts..."Gracias a la gente de el Mágico Valle Del Rio Grande y la frontera norte de Mexico".