GREGORIO REYES JR.

Gregorio Rodriguez Reyes Jr., of Mexia, passed away at Hillcrest Hospital in Waco on Jan. 2, 2022, at age 77.

Visitation will be conducted from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 6, at the Groesbeck Funeral Home Chapel.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, Jan. 7, at the Iglesia Monte Carmelo in Groesbeck. The Rev. Roberto Reyna, pastor of Monte Carmelo, and the Rev. David Sosa, presbyter of the district, will officiate. Burial will follow in the Mexia Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Jacob Reyes, Ethan Reyes, Adrian Dixon, Noah Reyes, Caleb Reyes, Jordan Reyes, Patrick Dixon and John Liscano.

Gregorio, known to many as Greg, was born Sept. 12, 1944, to Gregorio Reyes Sr. and Ruperta Rodriguez Reyes in Groesbeck. He grew up in Groesbeck until the family moved to Mexia while he was still in school.

Gregorio was united in marriage with Bonifacia “Bonnie” Cordova on Feb.7, 1970, in Groesbeck, and they made their home in Mexia.

Greg served in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Korea for 18 months. After his honorable discharge in 1971, he returned to Mexia. He worked for Varo Manufacturing as a welder for a few years. While he learned and excelled in his welding skills, he had also built a network of friends and acquaintances which enabled him to find work as a private contractor in welding and putting up tin buildings.

Gregorio’s reputation for his welding work led to his being called by Mr. Gaithwright of Teague to build a shop at his Bi-Stone Gas Company. Mr. Gaithwright was so pleased with Greg’s work that he hired Greg to work full-time as an employee in the gas industry, which later became TXU. Greg worked the rest of his life for Energy Transfer and was lead technician managing the measurement of natural gas and was responsible for the gas being brought to the power plants providing the electricity for the public. His office was in Teague, but he traveled over the area from Fairfield to Temple.

Gregorio often took Richard with him to open the gates when he checked on the gas wells, and Tim and Josh had their turns. Greg enjoyed his job so much because he was able to visit and talk and laugh with people. Lunch at Swick’s was a favorite, with teasing back and forth between the Swick men, and he and his boys loved stopping at Ralph’s BBQ in Bremond. When he and Bonnie were out together, she would wait forever in the car while he talked (often too long for her).

Gregorio was a faithful husband and was a caregiver for Bonnie after her health led to her being confined to wheelchair. His family was everything to him and he loved being with his kids and grandchildren every opportunity. He was never too busy to lend a hand to the family or friends. He served others well.

Gregorio was at Monte Carmelo every time the doors were open. He had been a faithful attendee since his early days of marriage with Bonnie. After all those years, God called him to give his full heart, and he and Bonnie were baptized on November 5, 2016 in Lake Limestone. On that cold and misty day, Gregorio escorted his wife in her wheelchair into the water and they were baptized by two pastors with their children in attendance. This was one example of Gregorio’s value of living a traditional life.

He was dedicated in his service to his church, serving as treasurer of a mission in Waco and as secretary-treasurer of the District Men’s Fellowship in Dallas. He traveled in these activities to Dallas, Fort Worth, Sherman, Weatherford and Cameron. He was a spiritual person who influenced his own children, those in his church family and all who knew him.

Gregorio was preceded in death by his parents, Gregorio Sr. and Ruperta Reyes; his infant son, Adrian who died in childbirth; his wife, Bonifacia Reyes in 2017; his brother, Guadalupe Reyes; and his sister, Gonzala Reyes, as well as many other extended family members.

He is survived by his four sons and daughters-in-law and daughter and son-in-law: Richard and Dacia Reyes of McKinney, Joshua and Reyna Reyes of Waco, Timothy and Amanda Reyes of Waco, Marcus and Heather Reyes of Mexia, and Amanda and Patrick Dixon of Fort Worth. His grandchildren are Courtney, Julia, Sophia and Caleb Reyes of McKinney; Jasmine and Adrian Dixon of Fort Worth; Jordan Reyes of Waco; Jacob and Ethan Reyes of Waco; and Noah, Mia and Alea Reyes of Mexia. He is also survived by a brother, Gilberto Reyes.

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