Mario Flores Castañuela, age 82, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend of Brady, Texas went to be with the Lord Wednesday, January 12, 2022 in Brady.
Mario was born April 9, 1939 in Melvin, Texas to Eduardo Castañuela and Angelita Prunada (Flores) Castañuela. He married Amelia Cantu on September 17, 1966 in Leoti, Kansas. He was a lifelong resident of the community and a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church and active in the Guadalupanas and the Cruciestas. Mario was well known in the community, having worked at the Texas Highway Department (TXDOT) for 26 years, retiring in 1996, the Brady Housing Authority and the 6M Car Wash for many years. He was a proud member of the Famed Brady Bulldog Band Boosters when his children were in high school.
A Mass of Christian Burial for Mario Castañuela will be held at 10:00am Saturday, January 15, 2022 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Brady with Father Terry Brenen officiating. Interment will follow at Rest Haven Cemetery in Brady.
Mario will lie in state Friday, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm (to allow for social distancing). The Holy Rosary will be recited at 7:00 pm at Leatherwood Memorial Chapels. Friends may view Mario’s Memorial Video Tribute and/or sign his online memorial guest book at www.leatherwoodmemorialchapels.com.
Pallbearers will be Manuel Castañuela, Michael Castañuela, Juan Castañuela Jr., Johnnie Gomez, Destiny Gomez, and Leighandra Marie Blankenship (Leigha). Honorary Pallbearers will be Richard Jr. Casas, Stetson Blankenship, and Mario Castañuela Jr.
Mario is survived by his wife of 55 years, Amelia Castañuela of the home; sons Santos Mondragon and wife Deonna of Stotts City, MO, Mario Esteban (Steve) Castañuela and wife Martha of Brownsville, TX, Jose Luis “Joe” Castañuela and wife Stacy of Leander, TX; David Emelio Castañuela and partner Sara Hicks of Austin, TX; daughters Debbie Jean Gomez and husband Concepcion (Chon) of San Angelo, TX, Gina Maribel Currie of Round Rock, TX, Lorie Ann Castañuela-Thiers and Ronnie of San Angelo, TX, Daisy Milagros Vargas and husband Jose of Brady, TX, Angela Maria Amelia Casas and husband Richard of Veribest, TX, sisters Diamontina Najera and husband Ramiro of Brady, TX, Velia Gomez of Brady, TX, Maria Purcell of Denton, TX and Mary Jane Bocanegra and husband Cilado of Denton, TX; grandchildren Alicia, Manuel, James, Santos Jr., Destiny, Stetson, Leighandra Marie (Leigha), Andrea, Mario (Junior), Victoria, Felicity, Abigail, Christian, Brendon, Cassandra, Richard Jr., and Marisol and great-grandchildren Trey, Stetson (Sam), Michael, Olivia, Sofia, Teodoro (Teddy) and Magnolia and numerous nieces and nephews. Mario was preceded in death by his parents Eduardo and Angelita Castañuela, his brothers Juan Castañuela, Eduardo Castañuela, Hector Castañuela and Vicente Castañuela, his sister Ofela Castañuela and an infant son.