In memory of Roque Vela Sr. of Laredo.

The text as introduced · 474 words

90R4063 CW-D

By: Raymond
H.R. No. 18

R E S O L U T I O N

WHEREAS, The citizens of Laredo lost an admired community

leader with the passing of Roque Vela Sr. on July 24, 2026, at the

age of 82; and

WHEREAS, The son of Santiago Vela and Benita Garza, Roque

Vela was born on May 11, 1944, and was raised in Laredo; joining the

U.S. Army at the age of 17, he went on to serve as a squad leader and

platoon sergeant in the Vietnam War; he was awarded the Purple Heart

and the Army Commendation Medal with "V" device for valor after

being wounded in action in 1967; and

WHEREAS, Returning to Laredo, Mr. Vela embarked on a tenure

with the U.S. Postal Service; in 1972, he joined the staff of Jett

Bowling Lanes, and three years later, he opened Tasty Burger and

ROGAB Arcade; he became the sole owner of Jett Bowling Lanes in

1979, and in 1987, he established Jett Bowl North; additionally, he

opened a bowling center in Del Rio, and in 2006, he purchased the

Laredo Lobos Arena Football team; widely respected, he was inducted

as a Laredo Business Hall of Fame Laureate in 2013; he went on to

receive the U.S. Small Business Administration Minority-Owned

Business of the Year Award for the San Antonio District in 2017, and

the following year, he was named a Texas Workforce Solutions

Employer of Excellence, the same year he and his family opened

Pla-Mor Entertainment; and

WHEREAS, Civically engaged, Mr. Vela served for 12 years on

the Laredo Independent School District Board of Trustees and for 4

years as the Webb County Precinct 2 commissioner; a staunch

advocate for veterans, he chaired the city's veterans affairs

committee; in August 2026, Laredo officials posthumously honored

Mr. Vela, presenting his loved ones with a key to the city; family

members also received a certificate of special congressional

recognition in acknowledgement of his contributions to his country

and his community; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Vela enjoyed the love and support of his wife of

61 years, Cookie, his daughter and son-in-law, Yvonne and Humberto

Leal, his son, Roque Vela Jr., and his four grandchildren,

Alexandra, Isabella, Tristian, and Kathryn; and

WHEREAS, While the death of Roque Vela brings great sadness

to his loved ones, he leaves behind a remarkable legacy of service

that will resonate for years to come; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 90th Texas

Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Roque Vela Sr. and

extend heartfelt sympathy to all who mourn his passing; and, be it

further

RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be

prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of

Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Roque Vela

Sr.