Richard Zamora

Richard Zamora was a family man who found his greatest joy in his family and faith. He was born in Uvalde, Texas on December 3, 1944, and lived his entire life mostly in Texas. He died In McKinney TX at the age of 78 on December 19, 2022, surrounded by his loving wife of 51 years and his children. Richard was a retired teacher who never stopped teaching, even after retirement he enjoyed working with his grandchildren. He was a hard-worker and instilled the importance of hard work to his family. He was a faithful husband, a wonderful father, and hands on grandpa. He was strong, yet gentle, appreciative and confident but above all, he was loving. He took great pride in being a Girl Dad, he raised 7 girls along with his wife.

He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Mary Zamora (Sally) of Uvalde and his daughter Cynthia Zamora and husband Elisaldo Martinez of McAllen, Texas; daughter Cassandra Zamora of Corinth, Texas ; daughter Catherine Garcia and husband Rene Garcia JR of McAllen Tx; daughter Celina Zamora and husband Gonzalo Cagigal of McKinney, Tx; daughter Christie Garcia and husband Adrian Garcia of Edinburg, TX; daughter Clarissa Valdez and husband Randy Valdez of San Antonio, TX and daughter Celeste Garcia of Richardson TX; 18 grandchildren Brian Garcia and wife Mariah Garcia, Gabriella Garcia, Bianca Garcia, Marleina Martinez, Madeline Martinez, Mariah Martinez, Olivia Cagigal, Peyton Rutherford, Aubrey Garcia, Christian Amador, Vivienne Rutherford, Urijah Garcia, Benjamin Cagigal, Nicholas Richard Cagigal, Elijah Garcia, Jeremiah Garcia, Elliot Valdez, Evelyn Valdez and three great grandchildren Emma, Ethan and Ella Garcia.
Additionally, he is survived by his brother Ruben Zamora of San Antonio and Rosalinda Zamora of Uvalde.
He is preceded in death by his father Roberto Zamora, mother Juanita Zamora and brother Roberto Zamora, Jr.

Richard grew up in Uvalde, Texas. He graduated from Uvalde High School. After serving in the Army, he married the love of his life in 1971.  He attended Southwest Texas University in San Marcos and went on to earn a degree in Education from Sul Ross University. He was a longtime parishioner of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, where his daughters attended school, it was just a couple blocks from his home. As a young boy, he served as an altar boy with his brothers and growing up his mother was very active throughout the church.

Richard was an active man who loved to walk and jog. He could often outrun/walk his daughters and took pride in being the self-proclaimed “fastest walker” at the Uvalde honey bowl stadium, even well into his 70’s. He enjoyed bike riding with his wife and spending time on the Frio with his family. He was always traveling to visit his daughters and never missed a family event. He enjoyed Tejano music and going dancing with his wife. He enjoyed working on his yard and when away from home he would work on his daughter ‘s yards. He enjoyed watching old westerns and his favorite actor was Gene Autry. His favorite holiday was Christmas, and his favorite Christmas song was Silent Night. He loved listening to Elvis, while visiting with his family. He loved to cut up watermelon for his grandchildren on a hot summer day and let them dive for fruit in the swimming pool. He loved to visit Florida, with his daughter and grandchildren and fell in love with the Florida beaches. He loved to tell the best stories to his grandchildren, some true and some fictional, never distinguishing between the two. He could walk miles at a time and enjoyed taking his grandchildren around the neighborhood or pushing them on the swings. He had such a zest for life and never took anything for granted. He emphasized the importance of education and Faith in Jesus to his family.

He loved his wife, he was incredibly proud of the daughters they raised, his son in laws, all of his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was Dad to his girls. He was Pampos to his grandkids. He was Uncle Richard to many nieces and nephews. He was beloved and respected as a retired schoolteacher and veteran in the community. He will be dearly missed.

Visitation will begin on Thurs. Dec 22 at 1 p.m. followed by a rosary at 7 p.m. at Rushing-Estes-Knowles Mortuary.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Fri. Dec 23 at 2 p.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church.  Interment will follow at Hillcrest Cemetery.

Per Richard’s request, his son in laws and his oldest grandson were chosen as pallbearers; Brian Garcia, Elisaldo Martinez, Rene Garcia, Gonzalo Cagigal,  Adrian Garcia,  and Randy Valdez