Mario Yzaguirre

MARIO YZAGUIRRE, 93, passed away on September 8, 2013 after a long and happy life devoted to his family and community.

A 1943 graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, Yzaguirre remained committed to his beloved University, its students and its expansion in South Texas. He served the University of Texas as a member of the UT System Board of Regents and was active on a number of committees of the Board of Regents. His dear college friend, former Texas Governor Dolph Briscoe, also appointed Yzaguirre to serve on the Texas Industrial Commission and the Texas Advisory Council for Technical and Vocational Schools. Yzaguirre also served on many other State and local boards and commissions, including the Brownsville Public Utilities Board.

Yzaguirre was the last surviving member of the The Greatest Generation from his family, having served in the US Army Medical Corps during World War II. He survived a shipwreck on the Atlantic Ocean and was forever grateful for the welcome that he and his shipmates received when they made it to the Azores.

Yzaguirre graduated from Holding Institute in Laredo in 1939, and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmacy in 1943 from the University of Texas at Austin. He operated his pharmacy, Marios Drug Store, in Brownsville for 32 years and was a founder of Brownsville National Bank. He was passionate about ranching and raised primarily Santa Gertrudis cattle and Beefmaster Bulls on a Zapata County ranch that his family has operated since 1769.

Yzaguirre was preceded in death by his parents, Maximiano and Angela Zapata Yzaguirre, his brother Tomas Izaguirre and his sisters Eva Uribe, Crescencia Barrera and Alicia Guerra.

Yzaguirre is survived by his wife of 54 years, Maria Enriqueta Yzaguirre, his son and daughterin law Mario Max and Leslie Yzaguirre, his son Manuel Manny Yzaguirre D.V.M., his daughter Maria Pati Yzaguirre, his son and daughterinlaw Mark and Katherine Yzaguirre and grandchildren Max Yzaguirre, Will Yzaguirre, Matt Yzaguirre, Taylor Yzaguirre and Elizabeth Yzaguirre. Also, he is survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the Yzaguirre family respectfully requests that memorial contributions be made to establish the Mario Yzaguirre Scholarship, an endowed scholarship for the new university and medical school that is being established by the University of Texas System in the Rio Grande Valley. Please send contributions to The University of Texas System, 210 W. 6th Street, Suite 1.200, Austin, Texas 78701, with a reference to the Mario Yzaguirre Scholarship.

A rosary service for Mario will be held at 1:30 pm on Saturday, September 14, at DarlingMouser Funeral Home, 945 Palm Boulevard in Brownsville. The American Legion John Hanson Post 43 Funeral Honor Guard will render military honors immediately following the rosary. A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will follow immediately afterward at DarlingMouser. The family will be available for visitation starting at 12:30 pm at DarlingMouser.

Visitation

DarlingMouser Funeral Home
945 Palm Blvd.
Brownsville, TX  78520
Saturday, September 14, 2013
12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Service

Rosary

DarlingMouser Funeral Home
945 Palm Blvd.
Brownsville, TX  78520
Saturday, September 14, 2013
1:30 p.m.

Military Honors by the American Legion

DarlingMouser Funeral Home
945 Palm Blvd.
Brownsville, TX  78520
Saturday, September 14, 2013
1:50 p.m.

Celebration of Life Memorial Service

DarlingMouser Funeral Home
945 Palm Blvd.
Brownsville, TX  78520
Saturday, September 14, 2013
2:00 p.m.

Memorial Contributions

210 West 6th St., Ste. 1.200
Austin, TX  78701