Rogelio “Roger” Colunga was (March 3, 1939 – July 28, 2020) the oldest child of Ester Barrientes and Candalario Colunga in Hondo, Texas. Mrs. Colunga was a homemaker and Mr. Colunga was an electrician. His brothers and sisters were Ofelia Colunga Gonzales (deceased), Aniceto Colunga (deceased), Enemencio Colunga (deceased), Lorreta Colunga Garcia (deceased), and Candalario “Yayo” Colunga, Jr. (deceased) of San Antonio, Texas. In 1949, he met, Elsa Lopez (March 1933 – April 2020) of Devine, Texas. They were married December 22, 1950 in Devine, Texas and shared more than 69 years of marriage. He is survived by his nephew who was raised as a brother, Alfonso Gonzales (Nancy Gonzales), children: Col. Ronald Roger Colunga (USAF ret) (Norma Jean Bean Colunga), Deborah Jean Rayburn (Dave M. Rayburn), Marsha Ann Colunga-Smith (Daniel D. Randall), and brother-in-law Steven Lopez (Sofia Rodriguez-Lopez). The Colungas have 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren as well as numerous cousins, nephews, and nieces throughout Texas and several states.
Rogelio grew up in Hondo, Texas. He enjoyed football, cars, and being a Boy Scout. At age 14, his father died, and he left school to support his mother, brothers, sister, and nephew. He took a paper route for The San Antonio Light, which encompassed all of Hondo. At 16, Rogelio enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps. His plan was to serve his country and provide support to his family. During his enlistment, he traveled to China, Philippines, Japan and Germany where he suggested pilots drop candy to the children who chased after US transport planes as they lifted off during the Berlin Airlift in 1948. Honorably separating from the US Army, Rogelio returned to Hondo. Just then, his life changed: he was invited to enlist in a new armed service, the US Air Force and he met Elsa Lopez.
Rogelio was passionate about sports and family. Spring 1948 he substitute-umpired in a fast pitch softball game in Devine. There, as he stood behind the catcher, he was captivated by a gorgeous vision on the pitcher’s mound with a wicked fast ball.He couldn’t take his eyes off of her. At first, she wouldn’t give him the time of day, but with his persistence, she agreed to a date. After chaperoned dates, Roger received permission from Elsa’s grandfather to propose, and Elsa accepted. Several wedding dates came and went because of Roger’s newly acquired US Air Force duties, and the couple finally wed on Friday, December 22, 1950, in Devine, Texas at 7:30 in the morning! For the next 20 years, Roger’s life was one of TDY, but he still found a way to read news clippings, letters, and listen to recordings from home. At each duty station he made a point to make friends with radio operators, so he could call home from anywhere in the world, just to hear the voices of his family. His service to our country was distinguished by The World War II Victory and Army of Occupation Medal.
Mr. Colunga was versatile in his abilities. He honorably served 2 years in the US Army Air Corps, and 20 years in the US Air Force. After his honorable retirement, Roger was at loose ends as he began to work in circulation for the American Statesman newspaper and then purchased an egg delivery business. He once again felt the call of service to others; he joined the American Red Cross to attend to the needs of service men and women here in the US and in Viet Nam as well as answering the call to support of communities during devastating disasters such as floods, tornados, and hurricanes within the United States. He strove to be the first support to arrive in each community to ensure they knew they were not alone in their struggle to recover. Upon his return from Viet Nam, he served here in Texas until 1971, until he was selected to support the US Olympic team in the 1972 Munich Games. He provided honorable and dignified support to the Israeli team in the aftermath of the 1972 Munich Massacre. He continued in the Red Cross until his retirement in 1978. Bitten by the entrepreneurial bug, he opened Roger Liquors. His efforts were successful as he opened and operated 3 stores in Austin, Texas. He revealed his community spirit in contributing to numerous calls for donations to charity and sponsoring a bowling team. When Roger finally retired, he and Elsa moved to Pleasanton, Texas, so he could enjoy visits from his children and grandchildren.
Rogelio Colunga enjoyed baseball and football, and a hobby of working on his old car when he had the chance. Throughout his life, Rogelio’s values never compromised: his God, his wife and children, his extended family, and his country. Rest in Peace Roger. Over and Out.
Services for Rogelio and Elsa Colunga will be at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 108 S Washington Dr, Devine, TX 78016, at 10:00 AM on Saturday, August 22, 2020. Due to the COVID restrictions, there will be a private interment at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, Tx. Please remember to be safe at these services and we ask that you all wear masks and practice social distancing.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Anyone wishing to sign the online guestbook, share memories or issue condolences to the family may do so at www.hurleyfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements are under the direction of Hurley Funeral Home, 303 W. College Ave., Devine TX. 78016, (830) 663-4445.