David Mendez

David Mendez, 52, beloved son, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend entered into eternal rest on Sunday, January 19, 2014, at his residence in Arroyo City, Texas, surrounded by his loving family after a valiant battle against lymphoma.

A native and lifetime resident of Brownsville, David was wellknown not only in Brownsville but across the Rio Grande Valley and the state of Texas due to his talents as an architect. David was a partner with Gomez, Mendez, and Saenz, a distinguished architectural firm known throughout the Valley and State. Davids name can be found all across the Valley and State on the countless schools and buildings that he worked on. David was proud to have served as the President of the Lower Rio Grande Valley Chapter of the American Institute of Architects.

Davids accomplishments and community involvement are too numerous to mention as he was quite active not only in Brownsville but throughout Cameron County serving on different boards. In his spare time, David was an avid outdoorsman whose passion was fishing, which is why he drove in from Arroyo City where he lived every day. That passion for fishing, led him to establish the Hooked for Life Kids Gone Fishing Foundation several years ago. David strongly believed in the proverb, give a man a fish and you feed him for a day teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.

David was deeply loved and will be profoundly missed not only by his family and friends but by all those who were fortunate to have known him.

David was preceded in death by his loving mother, Esperanza Hinojosa Mendez a brother, Roberto Mendez, Jr. and a nephew, Nicolas Nico Benavides.

Left behind to eternally treasure their memories of him is his father, Roberto C. Mendez the daughters that were his pride and joy, Erica Jamie Figueroa Mendez and Ashley Andres Guerrero Mendez their mother, Renae Mendez the granddaughter that was the apple of his eye, Natalie Hope Guerrero his sisters and brother, Margie Felipe Beltran, Yvette Juan Rey, Monica Rudy Buitureira, Cesar Nancy Mendez, and Yolanda Rafael Leal. David will also be missed by his nieces and nephews, Bobby Beltran, Miguel Rey, Rico Amy Benavidez, Vanessa Beltran, Monique Rey, Alejandra Mendez, Brianna Buitureira, Carolina Mendez, Bianca Buitureira, and Cesar Daniel Mendez two greatnephews, Brandon Rico and Bradley Nico Benavidez and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and other extended family members.

Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 22, 2014, and continue through 4:00 p.m. Visitation will resume at 5:00 p.m. and continue through 9:00 p.m. with the recitation of the holy rosary scheduled for 7:00 p.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 555 West St. Francis St., Brownsville. The Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 23, 2014, at St. Josephs. All services will conclude after the Mass and in accordance with Davids wishes, cremation will follow. Davids favorite color was yellow. The family respectfully requests that you wear something in any shade of yellow to the services.

Rene Capistran, Rudy Gomez, Joey Lopez, Dr. Ruben M. Torres Jr., M.D., Joe Touchet, and Manny Vasquez are honored to be serving as Davids pallbearers. Davids brother, Cesar his brothersinlaw, Felipe, Juan, and Rudy along with Roan Gomez, Isaac Ochoa, Rolando Borrayo, Johnny Rodriguez, Dr. Nolan Perez, Manny Vela, and the Hooked for Life Executive and Advisory Boards will serve as honorary pallbearers.

In lieu of flowers and in keeping with Davids passion for fishing, memorial gifts in Davids name may be made to the foundation he started: Hooked for Life, 1800 E. Van Buren Street, Brownsville, Texas 78520.

Visitation

DarlingMouser Funeral Home
945 Palm Blvd.
Brownsville, TX  78520
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Service

Visitation

St. Joseph Catholic Church
555 W. St Francis
Brownsville, TX  78520
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Rosary

St. Joseph Catholic Church
555 W. St Francis
Brownsville, TX  78520
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
7:00 p.m.

Funeral Mass

St. Joseph Catholic Church
555 W. St Francis
Brownsville, TX  78520
Thursday, January 23, 2014
10:00 a.m.

Cemetery

Val Verde Memorial Gardens Crematory
Donna, TX  78537

Memorial Contributions

1800 East Van Buren Street
Brownsville, TX  78520