Frank Maldonado

Frank Maldonado, 93, of Brownsville entered into eternal rest at his residence on Wednesday evening, May 2, 2018.
Mr. Maldonado was preceded in death by his wife, Christine Maldonado; his parents, Hermenegildo and Virginia Maldonado; and his siblings, Antonio Maldonado, Beatrice Arechiga and Raul Maldonado.
He is survived by 2 sons, Frank Anthony Maldonado and John David Maldonado; grandchildren, Jerry Daniel Maldonado, Stephanie Christine Maldonado and Frank Victor "Nakoma" Maldonado; great-granddaughter, Casey Maldonado. Also surviving are several nieces and nephews, including Irma Vera and family, Evelyn Kompier and family, Arthur Arechiga, Raul Maldonado and family and Mirna Maldonado and family; brother-in-law, Alfred Jacques and family and sister in-law, Carmen Garcia and family, as well as numerous nieces and nephews of the Montoya family; and by his caregiver and longtime friend, Tita (M.L.) Lopez. Survivors also inlcude his cousins, Mr. and Mrs. Alfonso Maldonado, Mr. and Mrs. Leo Maldonado, Mr. and Mrs. Homero Teran, Mrs. Estella Maldonado-Garcia and Mr. Robert Maldonado.
Mr. Maldonado was born in the tiny hamlet of Berclair and raised in Brownsville. He played basketball and football at Brownsville High School from 1939 to 1941 and was named all-district in both sports. From 1942 to 1954, he participated in basketball and baseball in four different countries- playing basketball, military service baseball and semi-pro baseball.
In 1941, Mr. Maldonado joined the Army and served with the Army Medical Corps in New Guinea and the Phillipines, and was on hand for the Battle of Leyte Gulf, the biggest naval battle of World War II. He also played football and basketball in 1946-1947 at Brownsville Junior College. In 1946, he was given a professional baseball tryout with the New York Giants farm system and played semi-pro baseball with the Brownsville Charros and Donna Cardinals in 1947-48. In 1946-47, the Packard Clippers were coached by Frank Maldonado, whose contributions as an athlete made him an important figure in Brownsville sports history. He then went back to college and played varsity baseball at the University of Colorado in 1949-50. In 1959, he coached McAllen High School baseball to the South Zone district title, the first McAllen team championship in 10 years. He then joined the Brownsville High football coaching staff as a varsity assistant in 1962, helping the team reach the State Quarterfinals. He then entered private business in 1967.On October 1998 and October 2017, he was honored by "Leo Najo" Day Baseball Hall of Fame. He was inducted into the Rio Grande Valley Sports Hall of Fame in 2000.
Mr. Maldonado figures prominently in the 2016 book "Mexican American Baseball in South Texas," the front cover of which features a photo of Mr. Maldonado, in a batting stance, from his days with the Buffaloes. His passion for athletics never waned. He still watched the local playoffs always did his best to keep in touch with his former students, attending reunions, funerals and such. Asked to describe the qualities that make such a good coach, Mr. Maldonado summed it up in eight words. "Stick to the basics and you'll never be embarrassed" he said.
A proclamation was issued by the Mayor and the Commission of the City of Brownsville on May 2, 2017, honoring Mr. Maldonado as a citizen of Brownsville for all his accomplishments and contributions to the community.
Visitation will be from 2:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Saturday, May 5, 2018 with the recitation of the rosary at 7:00 p.m. in the Chapel at Darling-Mouser Funeral Home. Military honors will be rendered by Commander Luis Lucio and members of the Veterans of Foreign War post.
Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Monday at St. Mary's Catholic Church. Everyone is asked to meet at the church as there will not be a procession from the funeral home to the church. All services will conclude after the Funeral Mass.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in memory of Mr. Maldonado may be made to the donor's favorite charity.

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