Andrew
Leon Alvarez, Jr., 61, of Bel Aire, retired AT&T truck driver,
died Monday, Dec. 1, 2008 at Galichia Heart Hospital in Wichita.
Andrew was born the son of Andres and Lucille (Gomez) Alvarez on
Wednesday, Jan. 29, 1947 in El Dorado. His father died two days
before his sixth birthday.
Andrew graduated from Wellington High School. He lettered in
track and ran in meets with Mike Ryan, Olympic Gold Medal
winner. Andrew joined the United States Marine Corps on Aug. 24,
1966 and followed in the footsteps of his brother, Ralph. He
served a tour of duty in Vietnam and received the Purple Heart
and Bronze Star.
He served several communities as a law enforcement officer and
was a member of the National Guard for several years. Andrew
started working at Southwestern Bell in 1981 where he met Ramona
Swafford. On Aug. 18, 1984, Andrew and Ramona were united in
marriage in Wichita, Kansas. Together they celebrated 23 years
of marriage. They moved to Edmond, Okla., when their jobs were
consolidated there zzz. Their first son, Joseph Alvarez, was born in
Oklahoma City, Okla., on Oct. 29, 1987 and their second son,
John Alvarez, was born March 12, 1991 in Oklahoma City, Okla.
He was preceded in death by his parents, step-father Gomesindo
Castillo and sisters; Mary Alvarez Toote, Ruth Alvarez Young and
Francis Fahrenbach.
Survivors include his wife, Ramona Alvarez of Bel Aire, sons;
Joseph Alvarez and John Alvarez both of Bel Aire, brother, Ralph
Alvarez of California, sister, Elisa Ramirez and her husband Joe
of Goddard, sister, Bea Blowdell of Dallas, Texas, brothers; Joe
Alvarez of Wichita, Tony Castillo and his wife Sheryl of Kansas
City, Mo., Jesse Castillo and his wife Pam of Hutchinson, Johnny
Castillo of Wellington, Jim Castillo of Eureka, Phil Castillo of
Wichita, Manuel Castillo of Las Vegas, Nev., and Al Castillo of
Wichita, along with numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services for Andrew will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday,
Dec. 6, 2008 in St. Anthony Catholic Church, 210 North B Street,
Wellington, with Father Andrew Heiman officiating.
Recitation of the Holy Rosary and Vigil Service will be held at
7 p.m., Friday, Dec. 5, 2008 in St. Anthony Catholic Church.
Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 1 to 5 p.m. on
Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008 and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, Dec.
5, 2008.
Interment will follow in Prairie Lawn Cemetery, Wellington.
Military Honors will be provided by the United States Marine
Corps, Wichita.
photo: Day Funeral Home:
http://www.dayfuneralhome.info/ 07-11-2009
obit: Wellington Daily news, Wellington, KS
http://www.wellingtondailynews.com 07-11-2009
source of stone image
