Frank Velasco, Jr.

Francisco Ramirez Velasco, Jr., age 86 from Ft. Stockton, TX entered eternal life on May 18, 2025. 

He was preceded in death by his wife Carmen Gonzalez Velasco.  He is survived by his son Jaime Velasco and wife Gina (Pittillo) of Midland, TX; daughter Minerva and her husband Mark Cortinas of San Antonio, TX; daughter Rosana and her husband Timothy J. Ryan of Riviera, TX; son Frank (Trey) Velasco, III and his husband Jeff C. Pace of Houston, TX; 12 grandchildren; Christopher J. Ryan, Megan Grosch, Bryna Moreno, Kelly Florence, Mariana Cortinas, Monica Legarreta, Trevor Velasco, Jacob Ryan, Andrea Cortinas, Mark Cortinas, Breanna Cortinas, and Heather Velasco. He was especially proud of his nine great-grandchildren.  He is also survived by one brother: Homero Velasco from El Paso, TX and two sisters, Chris Velasco from Dallas, TX, and Delma Barron from El Paso, TX as well as many nieces and nephews.
Frank was born in Ft. Stockon, TX on May 2, 1939, to Francisco and Isabel Ramirez Velasco.  His family was originally from Presidio, TX but his father relocated to Ft. Stockon, TX temporarily to work on the El Sinore Ranch, now the Escalera Ranch, after a bad flood in Presidio in 1938.  Raised in Presidio, TX he graduated from Presidio High School where he lettered in basketball.  Frank was a descendant from some of the first Spanish, Mexican and Scots-Irish pioneer families in Presidio County.  Frank moved to Ft. Stockton, TX in 1960 and became an assistant manager at Safeway.  It was here that he met his future wife, Carmen Gonzalez, when she came into the store to buy sugar for her mother who was baking a cake.  They were married at St. Joseph's Catholic Church on December 31, 1961. 

Frank and Carmen secured a loan at First National Bank to purchase their first gas station across the street from the bank.  It was then while he owned and operated the Texaco gas station that Frank first met Clayton W. Williams, Jr. Clayton and Frank became close business associates and dear personal friends, and it was because of Wiliams' encouragement that Frank joined the Ft. Stockton Jaycees.  Frank was the first Mexican-American to join the Ft. Stockton Jaycees.  Frank and neighbor, Raymond Holstein, built and opened a neighborhood store and named it Alamo Grocery in the late 1960s.  Frank and his brother-in-laws M.R. Gonzalez, Jr., Alex. R. Gonzalez and father-in-law M.R. Gonzalez, Sr. purchased farming and ranching operations in the mid-1970s northwest of town and in the Belding area.  Frank later sold his interest in the farm and ranch operation and kept the farm where he raised alfalfa.  Frank eventually sold his gas station business operation and became General Manager of Williams Ranch Co. alfalfa farms west of town for many years.  He went into the registered Brangus cattle ranching business and became the volume buyer at the Paint Brush Farms Brangus dispersal sale in Brenham, TX in 1977.  Frank was successful in the registered Brangus business and was able to see huge strides made in the industry.  He and his wife, Carmen, sold their registered Brangus cattle operation in 1984, but still maintained a commercial cattle operation until the mid 1990s.  When Clayton W. Williams Jr. ran for Texas Governor in 1990, Frank was tapped to chair 'Amigos for Williams' in Austin to reach out to the Texas Hispanic community.  Frank was a member of the Ft. Stockton School Board, elected in the late 1970s and served as secretary until his last child graduated from the Ft. Stockton school system in 1987. Frank was an active member of St. Agnes Catholic Church and served on the St. Agnes council.  Frank was a passionate hunter and enjoyed being a guide for Clayton W. Williams, Jr. on his deer lease south of town for many years.  He enjoyed big game hunting on African safaris as well as hunting and fishing trips in Mexico, Canada and Northern New Mexico.

Known affectionately as Papa to his grandchildren, Frank was devoted to family.  Large family gatherings surrounded by many nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends brought him so much joy.  He was an incredible man with a wonderful sense of humor and had a signature and contagious laugh.  Frank was always eager to travel with his close friends and family, making unforgettable memories and stories that will be cherished for years to come.  He had a strong work ethic and was a man of his word.  Frank had the most generous heart and without hesitation, was always willing to lend a helping hand.  His 86-year legacy is one of selflessness, generosity, and love of neighbor.  The Velasco and Gonzalez families wish to thank all those who extended their love and support and to those who cared for Frank, especially Pecos County Memorial Hospital Home Health and Hospice, his sister, Delma Barron, Denise Cornett, and Layla Dunam who lovingly cared for him.

Visitation will take place at Heritage Funeral Home in Fort Stockton, TX from 1 p.m. - 7 p.m. on Monday, May 26 followed by a rosary at 7 p.m. A funeral mass will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church on Tuesday, May 27 at 10:00 a.m.  Immediately following interment at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, all are invited to greet the family during a reception at St. Joseph Catholic Church Hall.