Roll Call Tribute

Jose Luis Solis 

March 19, 1943 - December 26, 2024 

Our beloved father, grandfather, and husband Jose Luis Solis, 81, passed away on December 26, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas and entered into the presence of the Lord. His death was sudden after a 2 week stay in the hospital where heroic measures were taken to save his life. He was born in Laredo, Texas on March 19, 1943, to Francisco and Aurora San Miguel Solis and attended schools in Laredo before graduating Valedictorian from Martin High School in 1961.

Jose Luis received a full scholarship to Texas A&M University in College Station and graduated in 1965 with a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering. While at A&M, he was a member of the most prestigious honorary societies including Sigma Gamma Tau (National Honorary aeronautical engineering society), Phi Kappa Phi, Tau Beta Pi, and Phi Eta Sigma.

In addition to having gained a distinguished scholarship and eminent professional attainment in Aerospace Engineering, he served in the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets which prepared them for leadership in the U.S. Military or in the private sector which is what he did upon graduation in 1965. He was hired by General Dynamics (now Lockheed) in Fort Worth, Texas and worked on the wing design of the F-16 fighter jet. It was during his employment at General Dynamics that he was granted a NASA scholarship to further his education and attained a Masters of Aerospace Engineering Degree in 1970. The family decided to move to Laredo, Texas in 1974 and Jose Luis worked for Mercy Hospital, Laredo Community College and owned a construction company designing and building residential and commercial buildings throughout Laredo.

Jose Luis married Laura Elena Solis from Zapata, Texas and had two sons, Jose Luis Solis, Jr. (Blanca) and Carlos Eduardo Solis (Terrie). He was extremely proud of his sons who respected him so much for his brilliant mind and his quiet and reserved demeanor. He was an avid reader and loved history. His grandchildren were his pride and joy; he spent countless hours with them either teaching them to drive, taking them or picking them up after school, tutoring and advising them throughout their lives. Melanie (Jeremiah), Carlos “Litos”, Gabriela “Gaby”, and Margarita “Maggie” simply adored him for his gentle manner and patience during the many hours he would spend with them so that they would excel in Physics, Trigonometry, English, History, and any other math-related course. His grandchildren were by his bedside constantly during his last hours at the hospital and played his favorite Aggie marching songs until he took his last breath at 4:45 PM on December 26th. He was surrounded by those who loved him.

Jose Luis is preceded in death by his parents (Francisco and Aurora), three brothers (Juan Francisco, Ernesto & Raul) and three sisters (Sofia, Aurora & Lucy). He is survived by his baby brother Rene and were inseparable growing up as the two youngest of all the siblings.

It is now time for me, Laura, my family and his friends to bid farewell to my husband Jose Luis, fondly known to his grandchildren as “Tata.” I will never stop loving him; I will always consider my marriage to him as the most wonderful thing that happened in my life and thank the Lord for that. We traveled to all corners of the world and learned about so many cultures, traditions, etc. Our last trip was planned for January 27, 2025, to visit Japan, China, Taiwan and South Korea. His brother Juan Francisco was stationed in Japan and wanted to visit those headquarters as well as Hiroshima being that my husband was a “a walking encyclopedia” of world wars and history. We are very blessed that he has left us with an unbelievable and extraordinary legacy.

The family wishes to thank the countless nurses and physicians at the University Hospital Trauma Center and ICU who spent hours helping him in the most professional, caring and loving manner.

Mission Park Funeral Chapels will take care of the funeral services, which will start with the following:
*Rosary at St. Matthews Catholic Church (10703 Wurzbach Rd) on December 31st, 2024, at 9:30 AM followed by
*Mass at 10:00 AM
*Burial at Mission Park Dominion (20900 IH 10 West)
*Reception immediately following services at La Fogata Comida on 22211 West Interstate 10 Frontage Rd.

Family kindly asks friends and family that in lieu of flowers please donate to the American Cancer Society:
https://raiseyourway.donordrive.com/campaign/Jose-Luis-Solis-Memorial-Fund