Alfred "Nene" Barreda Mcallen

Alfred Nene Barreda McAllen, born February 19, 1926, died peacefully at his home in Houston, Texas on January 18, 2008. He was born in Brownsville, Texas and raised in San Benito, Texas. During World War II, he served in the Americal Division in the Philippines, and with the Army of Occupation in Tokyo, Japan. He was among the first group of American troops to enter Japan in September of 1945. After The War, he graduated from North Texas State University and began teaching in Brownsville, Texas in 1949. He moved to Houston, Texas in 1955 where he worked for the Houston Independent School District for 33 years, until his retirement in 1986. While teaching, he studied at South Texas College of Law and was admitted to the Texas State Bar in 1966.

After retirement, Alfred enjoyed his many hobbies, which included: woodworking, gardening, and cooking. He traveled with family and friends to Spain, Mexico, northern California, Washington D.C., and the Southwestern United States. Alfred put great importance on continuous learning and was well versed in many subjects, including physics, astronomy, history, and world affairs. He was a big fan of the physicist, Richard Feynman. He often said that he was disturbed when he heard people ask or suggest that someone liked to read; for, he said, no one just likes to read. You read because you seek knowledge and understanding. He played the guitar, after being shown a few chords by a friend early in life, and he had a great passion for music, particularly the Mexican ballads of his childhood. He enjoyed sporting events, including boxing, football, basketball, and baseball. He also enjoyed fishing, seeking that perfect lure, and the great outdoors. Always young at heart, and insatiably curious, Alfred held fast to the saying that the uninspected life is not worth living and he was one who believed in stopping to smell a rose.

Alfred was preceded in death by his father, Alfredo Barreda, and by his mother, Avelina McAllen Barreda, the daughter of James Balli McAllen and Cleofas Guajardo. He is survived by his children, Michelle, Mark, and Roman, of Houston, Texas. He is also survived by his brothers, Ruben and Robert Barreda, of Brownsville, Texas, and his loving companion of twenty-seven years, Harriette Sellars, of Houston, Texas. Alfred was a compassionate father, a caring brother, a loving companion and an outstanding teacher. He enriched the lives of all of us. Alfred will be warmly remembered and deeply missed.

Visitation will begin at 5 p.m. today, Sunday, January 20, 2008 and continue through 9 p.m. with the recitation of the holy rosary at 7 p.m. this evening in the West Chapel of Darling-Mouser Funeral Home. A chapel service celebrating Alfreds life will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, January 21, 2008 in the West Chapel of Darling-Mouser. Interment will follow at Roselawn Memorial Gardens. Military honors will be provided at the graveside by the American Legion Post 43 Honor Guard under the direction of Commander Raul Leal.

Robert Barreda Jr., Rene Barreda, Raymond Blackwood,Raymond Neathery Jr.,

Vidal Ramirez II, and Joe Villarreal are honored to be serving as Alfreds pallbearers.

Alfred Boyd will serve as an honorary pallbearer.
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Visitation

DarlingMouser Funeral Home
945 Palm Blvd.
Brownsville, TX  78520
Sunday, January 20, 2008
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Service

Rosary

DarlingMouser Funeral Home
945 Palm Blvd.
Brownsville, TX  78520
Sunday, January 20, 2008
7:00 p.m.

Funeral Service

DarlingMouser Funeral Home
945 Palm Blvd.
Brownsville, TX  78520
Monday, January 21, 2008
10:00 a.m.

Cemetery

Rose Lawn Memorial Gardens
4464 Old Port Isabel Rd.
Brownsville, TX  78526