Hugo Elizondo

Hugo Elizondo left his earthly life behind to heed the call of the Rancher in the Sky.  The Good Lord needed a horseman and foreman for his Ranch and Hugo answered the call.  He transitioned peacefully this Thursday surrounded by his family.

Mr. Elizondo was born in the small town of Guerrero, Coahuila on the border.    He met the love of his life, Bertha Pena Castillon while riding horseback along the street in front her house.  The couple was married for 67 years until her passing in early 2018.  They were the proud parents of 8 children and raised them to succeed in their own lives.

Hugo was the oldest boy of a family of 9 siblings.  He adored his mother and respected his father.  He was a serious yet fun loving young man which helped him throughout his life.  Mr. Elizondo was frugal in his spending, creative and flexible in his view of life, and disciplined in his thoughts.  His creativity was revealed in his many song compositions written early in his life while working cattle and horse with his family and friends.  These songs reflect the fun loving nature of this hard working man and are treasured by his family.

Mr. Elizondo met each of his life adventures with enthusiasm and good humor and was respected and liked by those he met and assisted over the span of many decades.  He never turned down a relative or friend when in need.  Whether, helping with a nephew learn the ropes of life or taking deer meat to needy.  He and his lovely wife took in countless relatives and friends and provided board for these persons until they were ready to proceed with the rest of their lives.

Hugo honed his ranching knowledge working on the Padlock Ranch in Wyoming and the Y-O Ranch in Texas.  His roping skills whether on horseback or on foot were unequaled.  His knowledge of livestock including horses, cows, sheep and goats, and his overall understanding of animals was his true gift.

He landed his dream job when he began his career on the Big Tree Ranch, in Concan, Texas.  He continued to raise and teach his family the values of living the Ranch life.  Be a good steward of the land and all of God’s creatures.  Hugo assisted the Owner, Michael Stoner, for over 5 decades.  His duties included helping managing the horse operations, rising and cutting hay, building fence, fixing windmills and tractors, being a ranch “veterinarian”, planting and harvesting oats, and green breaking thousands of colts and fillies.  The Big Tree Ranch was home for his family and approximately 70 horses, 100 cattle, 100 goats, and over 200 sheep.  They also had 6 milk cows and countless chickens, a couple of good dogs and many cats.  Hugo knew each and every animal as he knew his own children.

Mr. Elizondo was preceded in death by his oldest son, Jose Luis Elizondo, and his faithful and beautiful wife, Bertha Elizondo.  He leaves behind 7 children including Nelva Rodriguez and husband Ricardo, from Temple; Norma Berrones from Uvalde; Lesbia Northern and husband Marty of Lubbock; Lidia Rodriguez and husband Rodolfo of Dilley; Hugo Elizondo, Jr. and wife Delia of Blanco; Sulema Cabrera and husband Romeo of San Antonio; and Ricardo Elizondo and wife Patricia of Buda.  He leaves behind many grandchildren and great grandchildren that will miss him dearly.

Visitation will begin Saturday, March 14,2020 at 2:00 p.m. at Rushing-Estes-Knowles Mortuary in Uvalde.

A rosary will be held on Saturday, Sunday and Monday at 7:00 p.m. at Rushing-Estes-Knowles Mortuary in Uvalde. A funeral mass will be held on Tuesday, March 17,2020 at 10:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Uvalde.

Pallbearers will be Cesar Gerardo Rodriguez, Rhode Jorge Rodriguez, Jeremiah Rosendo Northern, Zachary Hugo Northern, Diego Jose Elizondo, and Dylan Joe Elizondo.