Israel Fuentes

Israel Velasquez Fuentes, age 77, passed away on December 29, 2022. He was born July 15, 1945 to Guadalupe and Guadalupe V. Fuentes in Corpus Christi, Texas. He graduated from Roy Miller High School in 1963. He enlisted in the United States Air Force from April 1966 to February 1970.

Israel was a weapons mechanic in Vietnam during the war. Israel was an independent consultant for the packaging industry, most recently with Roskam Inc. in Grand Rapids, Michigan until his retirement in 2015. He enjoyed his Porsche cars, listening to live music, photography, growing his art collection and hanging out with friends. He also enjoyed traveling, cycling, and visiting his daughter, son-in-law and grandson in Austin, Texas. He will always be remembered for his quick wit, sense of humor, curious nature and his love for friends and family. He was proud to have served his country. Israel was a loving father, son, brother, uncle, friend and grandfather.

Israel is preceded in death by his father, Guadalupe; mother Guadalupe V.; brothers: David, Richard, Ismael; sisters: Eduwiges, Eduwina and his two nieces: Bernice Chumney and Sylvana Rangel Stinnett.

Israel is survived by his only child, Diana (Alan); grandson, Miles and his siblings: Irene Barrientez, Maria Reyes (Ramon), Adela Perez, Ezequiel (Lora), Elvira Ruiz (Richard), Lupita Steigman (Larry), Rudolfo, Alfonso, Rick (Esmeralda), Markie (Nancy) and numerous nieces and nephews.

Gathering will be held at 11:30 AM Thursday, January 19, 2023 at Corpus Christi Funeral Home with a Memorial Service at 12:30 PM. Interment will follow at Coastal Bend State Veterans Cemetery at 2:00 PM that same afternoon.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation under Israel’s name to cover funeral expenses. Thank you.

Special thank you to Markie and Nancy Fuentes for their support and help the past year and a half while my father lived in Corpus Christi. I’d also like to thank cousins, Dency Reyes, Cynthia Ruiz, Ben Perez, David Fuentes and Erik Fuentes for their guidance and support during this time. And last, thank you to my father’s best friend and my Godfather, Larry Ortega, Sr. and his family.