October 10, 1937-August 1, 2020

Deacon Tom was born on October 10, 1937 in Lakewood, Ohio to Rollen and Virginia Franklin. He returned to his Heavenly Father at the age of 82. He attended schools in North Olmsted, Ohio. He graduated from Case Institute of Technology in 1959 with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and a minor in Fluid Dynamics. He began working for Sohio Oil while finishing his degree and continued there after college. In 1963 he moved to NASA Lewis Research Center in Cleveland. In 1966 while reading an SAE magazine, Tom found an ad for a management position at Rohm and Haas’s new Spring House, PA Engine Laboratory. Tom managed that lab for 10 years, but his need to move on brought him to San Antonio, Texas in 1976 for an engineering position with Automotive Research. Several years later he began his own consulting firm, Franklin Research and Technical Services, Inc. He led and served on various committees for SAE and ASTM technical standards groups.

In 1983 he felt called to begin seminary studies to be ordained a Catholic deacon. He was ordained in 1986 and began his ministry at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in San Antonio where he served for 32 years. During those years he and Agnes began Small Church Communities as a continuation of the Renew Process. They educated Communion Ministers, started the ministry to the Sick and Homebound and educated ministers to serve. They served on team for Beyond Cana Retreats and its Outreach to other parishes. Deacon Tom developed the formats used during Holy Week Services and led the monthly Men’s Morning of Prayer. He never stopped learning and could be found at numerous classes at Oblate School of Theology. Wherever there was a need, he reached out and served.

In 2018 Tom suffered a head injury from which he never recovered. Blessings on Kennith Cooper who cared lovingly for Tom before his time at Alpha Senior Care. The family is most grateful for all their care and support through the COVID Pandemic when family could not spend time with him. Many blessings on all those who continued to pray for him and send him and Agnes well wishes, especially our faith community.

Deacon Tom is survived by his best friend, lover, and soul mate, Agnes, with whom he shared 62 years of married life. Together they raised six sons, five of whom survive today; Thomas (& wife Amber), Daniel (& wife Pamela), Mark (& wife Cheri), John (& wife Cynthia), Joseph (& wife Angela), and his nephew, Ralph (& wife Patricia), who came to be a part of our family in 1981. He enjoyed 20 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren, always with a smile on his face.

Those who have gone home to the Father before him are son, Paul & wife Monica, parents Rollen and Virginia Franklin, brother Rollen & wife Gloria, brother Robert & wife Helen, and sister Rosemary. Parents-in-law Joseph & Helen Borosh, sister-in-law Catherine & husband Louis Boehnlein, brother-in-law Joseph & wife Margaret Borosh.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, Mobile Loaves & Fishes Ministry (http://sfasat.org/MLF/). You can leave a message in Deacon Tom’s guestbook at http://porterloring.tributes.com/obituary/guestbook/Deacon-Thomas-Franklin-108492189.

Services for Deacon Tom

Masks and physical distancing are required for all services. Seating is limited to 160. Please RSVP to St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church by calling 210-492-4600.

Visitation | 6:00-8:00 p.m. with Vigil Service at 7:00 p.m. on August 21^st. Watch live at https://youtu.be/rCIDIEUpU6M.

Mass of Resurrection | 9:30 a.m on August 22^nd. Please arrive 30 minutes early for seating. Watch live at https://youtu.be/ML0FvtB7JT4.

Burial for the family at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Cross Cemetery on Nacogdoches Rd.

All services to be held with the Catholic Community of St. Francis of  Assisi,  4201 De Zavala Rd., San Antonio, TX 78249.

June 10, 1933-July 20, 2020

Glen Howard Hartford entered into eternal rest on Monday, July 20, 2020.

Glen was born June 10, 1933 in Sunburst, Montana. He graduated from Cut Bank High School, then served in the Air Force. He married Joan Matthews of Mobile, Alabama in 1956. Glen graduated from UT in 1959 with a BBA in accounting. He worked for Humble Oil, and Coastal States Gas in Houston, then moved to San Antonio where he continued working for Valero until he retired in 1991. He worked as an accountant for Jon Hart Designs for five years. Glen and Joan were members of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church.

Glen is preceded in death by his wife, Joan Matthews Hartford; parents, Lewis and Minnie Hartford; and his five siblings, Deloris Thompson, and Cliff, John, Vernon, and Roy Hartford.

Glen is survived by three children, Steven (Lynn) Hartford of Waxahachie, Shaun (Mark) Danney of Fair Oaks Ranch, and Scott (Mellisa) Hartford of Bedford; and three grandchildren, Angela Danney, Nicholas Danney, and Blair Hartford.

We will have a graveside service to celebrate Glen’s life at Mission Burial Park North on Thursday, July 30 at 11:30 a.m.

October 16, 1931-June 16, 2020

Ramon M. Barraza (aka “Mr. Ray”) passed away on June 16, 2020. He joins his wife of 57 years, Jesus “Sue” Barraza, in the loving arms of our Lord. He is preceded in death by his parents, Tomas and Francisca Barraza and his four older brothers. He was born in Taft, TX on October 16, 1931. In his early years he grew up around the Chapman Ranch area. He graduated from W. B. Ray High School class of 1951 in Corpus Christi, TX. Shortly after graduating from high school, he joined the U.S. Air Force retiring as a Staff Sargent in 1971 with twenty years of honorable service. He had a desire to become a barber and in 1969 he obtained his barber license while going to evening barber school while still holding down his full-time job in the Air Force. He worked for several barber shops around San Antonio for many years as well as opening his own barber shop in the neighborhood. Always wanting to learn, he obtained his Associates Degree from St. Phillips College in 1974.

He is survived by his 3 children: Jimmy (Isidra), Ida (Tony), Edward (Gary) and his beloved pet Chihuahua, Chico; grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews along with other relatives and many friends along his life’s journey.

The family would like to express their gratitude to Magnolia Hospice Care home staff for their loving and compassionate care.

Special thanks to Dr. Daniel Kellum Sr. and Dr. Geraldo Sioco for their years of caring for our father.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, June 23, 2020 from 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm with a rosary to be recited at 6:00 pm at Castle Ridge Mortuary. Rosary will be live-streamed on the Mortuary’s website. Funeral Mass will be Wednesday, June 24, 2020 at 12:00 pm at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 4201 De Zavala Rd, San Antonio, TX 78249.

Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic social distancing and masks will be required.

December 25, 1941-June 13, 2020

Lydia Tijerina Tse, age 78 of San Antonio, peacefully passed surrounded by her family on Saturday, June 13, 2020. She was born on December 25, 1941 in Laredo, Texas to Viterbo and Grace (De La Peña) Tijerina who preceded her in death. She graduated from Martin High School in Laredo and the University of Texas Health Science Center with honors and was awarded a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing. She met her husband, David Tse, while working together at Baptist Memorial Hospital and they were married in 1967.

Lydia’s greatest love and proudest accomplishment was her family. She was a loving and caring wife, mother, and grandmother and she will be dearly missed and forever loved by her family. With her big heart and generous nature, she befriended many throughout her life and she was a gift to all who met her. To her loved ones, she leaves nothing behind but beautiful memories.

Nursing was her career, but gardening was her passion. She loved to spend countless hours in her backyard creating her gorgeous, outdoor paradise. Her love of exploration and travel took her and her husband on many adventures abroad to places, such as, China, Japan, Indonesia, Australia, Costa Rica, and numerous European countries. She thoroughly enjoyed living life to the fullest. Her family feels blessed to have had her in their lives and will forever treasure their time together.

She is survived by her husband of 52 years, David Tse; her children, Dhyana Carole Tse, Debbie Tse Mollicone and her husband, Mike, Daphne Tse, DeeDee Tse Silver and her husband, Mike, James Tse and his wife, Ramona, and Joey Tse and his wife, Nicci; her grandchildren, Michael Mollicone, Jr., Meghan Mollicone, Jared Phelps, Jr., Nathan Tse, Jacob Phelps, Hannah Tse, Sarah Tse, Kai Tse Hashemiyoon, and Jason Tse; her stepgrandchildren, James Mollicone, Megan Silver, Trent Thomas, Isabel Gillenwater, and Nikki Silver; her sisters, Gloria Verduzco and Leticia Oropeza; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her grandson, David J. Tse, Jr., and her sister, Alma Peña.

SERVICES

Due to the pandemic restrictions and the limitation of seating, family will be available beginning at 5:00 P.M. on Monday, June 22, 2020 followed by a Rosary to begin at 7:00 P.M. at Mission Park Funeral Chapels North, 3401 Cherry Ridge Drive. The Rosary will be available via live stream on www.missionparks.com.

The Funeral Mass will begin at 12:00 P.M. on Tuesday, June 23, 2020 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 4201 De Zavala Rd. Private Interment will be for family at the Mission Burial Park North.

Ray McDonald, born 1941, was baptized Pearl Harbor Day and raised in Rochester, NY. After graduating from Allegheny College, he joined the US Air Force, proudly serving in Germany during Vietnam. He moved his young family to San Antonio in 1972.

He was a proud board member of the Chamber Music Society, regularly attended the San Antonio Symphony, and graciously volunteered with many arts organizations. He found particular joy with the Esperanza Center which combined his love of arts, culture, and progressive politics. Ray daily walked his Castle Hills Forest neighborhood and often helped his neighbors. He found peace at weekly mass with his St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church family.

Ray is survived by children, Michael (Carolyn) McDonald, Sandra (Mike) Dizdar, and Andrew McDonald; sisters, Judy Capone and Jeanette Dill; grandkids, Zach, Audrey, and Jennifer; former spouse, Maria Prasser; numerous nieces, nephews, and friends. He joins in heaven his infant daughter, Michelle; parents, Bill and Katherine McDonald and brother, David McDonald. His family thanks Audie Murphy VA Hospital staff for their loving care of our father.

A future memorial service will include Military Honors at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery. Memorials can be made to EsperanzaCenter.org or St. Francis of Assisi San Antonio.

A video chronicle of Ray’s life can be found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sV9E2R0xAxo.

January 11, 1926-April 3, 2020

Maj. Kenneth “Russ” Carl Russell [USAF Retired] of San Antonio passed away April 3, 2020, at the age of 94, after a long illness.

Born January 11, 1926 in East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, Ken was the son of Howard and Daisy (Humpreville) Russell.  He was married to Frances “Penny” Grace McClelen on December 11, 1948 at San Antonio, Texas.  She preceded him in death.

The youngest of 6 siblings, Ken grew up mostly in Easton, Pennsylvania and attended school there.  From a young age, he developed a strong work ethic helping his widowed mother, who had been deaf from age 16.  One of his jobs was delivering telegrams for Western Union on his bicycle, often in the snow.

His fascination with airplanes and enjoyment of making model airplanes led to his joining the Enlisted Reserve Corps in 1943.  At the time, he was living in California, where he had been employed as a mechanic.  Shortly after, he was called to active duty.  His first assignment was Miami Beach, where he completed basic training, then attended the College Training Division at Barry College in Florida.  He was commissioned a second lieutenant at the completion of training as a navigator at Ellington Field in Houston, Texas.  As a navigator, he flew mostly in cargo planes out of Guam with the 21^st TC Wing.  He later trained as a pilot at Randolph AFB in San Antonio where he met Penny.  She was employed at an on-base office.  Ken later said it was “love at first sight”.  They were married before he completed pilot training at Williams AFB at Chandler, Arizona.  Having earned his pilot’s wings and the rank of First Lieutenant, he was assigned to the Fightin’ 61^st fighter squadron flying F-86 Sabre jets out of Selfridge Field, Michigan (Air Defense Command).    He later flew different types of all-weather fighter interceptors in mostly northern climates.  After Selfridge, Ken and Penny spent 7 years in Minnesota and 2 in Newfoundland, then a tour in Japan.  Ken’s last station was Randolph AFB, where he retired.

Not one to be idle, after his Air Force career Ken worked 19 years as a Prudential Insurance agent and then 20 years as a Sears salesman, permanently retiring at the age of 80.  Ken could repair just about anything.  He maintained his automobiles, enjoying tinkering, stamp collecting, and watching hummingbirds visit his feeders.

Ken was received into the Catholic faith in 1975.  He married Elizabeth “Betty” Sanders on December 17, 1975.  Their wedding was at the main chapel at Randolph AFB with a nuptial mass and full choir.  Ken was a loving and caring husband and partner.

Ken was deeply loved by his family and will be dearly missed.  Survivors include his loving wife, Betty; children: Ken “Rusty” Russell, Jr., Gail Colbath, and Sharon (Nick) Nusbaum; grandchildren:  Bonnie (Daniel Legaspi) Russell, Mitchell (Shanon) Colbath, Jennifer (Marcus) Ethridge and Cami (Matt) Mabs; great-grandchildren: Zachary Monahan, Aurora Colbath, Magnus, Margo, Maverick, Marian and Myron Ethridge, Calyb Voges and Jonathan Mabs; step-children: Linda Revere, Jeanne (Francis) Thuraisamy and Robert Sanders; grandchild, Joseph Thuraisamy; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Ken was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Penny; brothers, Graham and Harold; sisters: Belle Klink, Miriam Russell, and Edna Moninghoff.

The family would like to thank the Alamo Hospice team for their support during his illness and his personal care home staff who so lovingly cared for him during this time.

Due to the Covid-19 virus, there was a private family service at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church on Wednesday, April 15, 2020.  Burial was at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.

A memorial service, with full military honors, will be held at a later date.

He leaves his wife Florian of 18 years, adult children, (from his first wife, Frances Ferrer Cavazos, who preceded him in death in 1999), Catherine Elizabeth, Anna Marie, Adam III, Sylvia Jean, John Arthur, and Timothy Mathew; 13 grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren; his sisters, Helen Gonzalez and Shirley Garcia; his brothers, Gilbert Cavazos and Tony Cavazos; numerous cousins, nephews, nieces, and many friends. He also had two sisters, Minnie Cavazos Coy and Teri Cavazos Williams, who preceded him in death in 2018 & 2019 respectively.

Born in Yorktown, TX and raised in San Antonio, the son of Adam and Herminia (Ochoa) Cavazos, he was a lifelong resident of San Antonio but spent his later years in Las Vegas, NV enjoying golf and on occasions, a night on the town in the casinos with wife Florian.

In his early years, Mr. Cavazos grew up in the Yorktown, Cuero, and San Antonio, Texas areas with his large childhood family. In 1953, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps and served honorably during the Korean Conflict. He met his wife, Frances Ferrer, through mutual friends in San Antonio and they were married in 1958. After Honorable Discharge from the Marines, he joined the Air Force and retired after 20 years of combined service as Tech Sergeant. During Adam and Frances’ life together, they spent most of their years in Edwards Air Force Base, California and San Antonio, Texas raising their energetic family. Mr. Cavazos was always known to be a very hard working man; loyal to his country; compassionate; and a leader for his very large family.

He earned an Associate’s Degree from St. Phillips College while also serving in U.S. Federal Service. He retired from Federal Service in 1987. He and Frances were one of the first and long-time Parishioners helpingto establish Prince of Peace Catholic Church in San Antonio, Texas.

A sports enthusiast and exceptional athlete. A highlight of Mr. Cavazos youth sports participation, he won 1stPlace in his weight class for boxing during the city-wide San Antonio Recreation Department tournament in the summer of 1953. Mr. Cavazos also participated in organized youth baseball, football, tennis, and track. As an adult he was an avid golfer, at one time holding a 10 handicap. He was a longtime member of the U.S. Air Force Golf Course clubs and represented Edwards Air Force Base in U.S. Air Force Intramural Team play.

April 17, 1926-March 31, 2020

On Tuesday, March 31, 2020, Lucy Trcka Bishop, loving wife and mother of four, passed away peacefully in her sleep at her residence.

Lucy was born on April 17, 1926 to Rosalie and Michael Trcka in Nada, Texas. She married the love of her life, Robert (Bob) Bishop, on October 4, 1950.

Lucy was a devout and active parishioner at St Francis of Assisi Catholic Church. Lucy loved music and dancing. She sang in the church choir every Sunday for over 60 years, and she and Bob never missed a chance to dance together. Lucy was also a talented artist who created many beautiful oil paintings for her family and friends.

Lucy is survived by three children, Joni (Rick) Beal, Terri (Mac) Perry and Greg (Nanette) Bishop. She was the proud grandmother of Daniel, Jacob, Sarah, Brandon, Stephanie, Layne, and Ryan and great-grandmother of 7. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews and sister-in-law Zena Trcka. She was preceded in death by her husband Bob, her son Rob, and her four siblings.

A private graveside service will be held at Holy Cross Cemetery.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

Walter R. Coe, Lt. (USN) Retired, age 95, died March 17, 2020. He was born and raised in Parkersburg, WV.

Walt was beloved by his family and friends and set an excellent example as a devoted husband and father. He was extremely hardworking and sacrificed to put his six children through parochial schools and college. He was affectionate, charming, energetic, funny, and outgoing and prone to initiating conversations with complete strangers.

A veteran of two wars, Walt joined the U.S. Navy as a seaman at age 17 during the summer before the attack on Pearl Harbor. He moved up through seven enlisted ranks with extraordinary speed, rising to Chief Petty Office by the time he was 21 years old. Upon joining the service, he was trained in aircraft mechanics, and during WWII served at multiple locations in the Pacific theater, including on Guadalcanal Island. Following the war, in 1946, he was selected to serve on the original Blue Angels Flight Demonstration Team as Chief of Maintenance. In 1949, he was assigned to the Naval Attaché staff in Seoul, Korea, one year prior to the beginning of the Korean War. Following the invasion of Seoul and evacuation to Japan, he flew 37 unarmed reconnaissance missions over Korea as an observer with the newly formed Air Force Mosquito Squadron and was awarded the Air Medal and three Oak Leaf Clusters. In 1954, Walt was honored for saving lives on the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Bennington following a tragic boiler explosion the prior year that killed 102 men and injured dozens of others. Walt attended OTS in 1957, and the following year, as an officer, he was assigned for four and a half years to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to help organize the Research and Development Center in Pomona, NJ. Walt retired from the US Navy in 1963, with 22 years of service, and retired at the rank of Lieutenant.

Walt moved his family to San Antonio, Texas and commenced a second career with Firestone Tire and Rubber Company, starting out as a store manager and retiring after 20 years as District Marketing Manager. For several years during this period, he also served on the Board of Directors of the Better Business Bureau of San Antonio.

Upon retirement from Firestone, Walt became a Blue and Gold officer for the U.S. Naval Academy. He served for seven years, recruiting and counseling Naval Academy candidates and helping at career events. He also served as president of the Shavano Heights Homeowner’s Association for five years, and later spearheaded many neighborhood projects.

Walter was predeceased by his parents, William and Dixie Counts Coe and eight of his siblings. He is survived by his beloved wife of 68 years, Dolores Jablonski Coe, whom he met while stationed at the American Embassy in Seoul, Korea. Walt is also survived by five children: Dr. Jeffrey D. Coe (Marlene) of Monte Sereno, CA, William R. Coe (Cindi) of Charlotte, NC, Monica J. Coe of San Antonio, TX, Michele Coe-Walker (James Walker) of McKinney, TX, James S. Coe of Atlanta, GA and 11 grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Kay Tolley, of Chesapeake, VA as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

July 2, 1930-March 9, 2020

Originally from Santurce, San Juan, Puerto Rico, Alicia was the third of seven children born to Manuel Ramírez and his wife, Marcelina Méndez. A bright and happy child, she started school a year early and later skipped the fourth grade. She excelled scholastically and was admitted to the first medical school class at the University of Puerto Rico in San Juan. During her first year of study, she learned that her older brother, First Lt. Pablo Ramírez, a platoon leader and member of the 65th Infantry, had been killed in action in Korea. She graduated second of 50 students, one of eight women, at the age of 24. She moved to the mainland to complete her residency in internal medicine at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, TX. There she met and married another young resident, Allen Bullock, the love of her life. He said he taught her to read ECGs. She laughed and denied it. Devoted and generous parents, they raised three children and instilled in them some of the greatest traits of the greatest generation. Alicia’s interests were varied and included Russian literature, classical music, detective stories, antiquing, and sports. A compulsive note-taker, she was truly a lifelong learner. Storytelling with family and friends and homecomings to Puerto Rico delighted her. A lover of the bargain, her haggling skills were put to use in all of the family’s car purchases. She completed her career as the Medical Director of the VA Outpatient Clinic in Corpus Christi, retiring after her 75th birthday. Soon afterward the couple moved to San Antonio to be closer to family. She and son Allen cared for our father until his death in 2009.