Pete Martinez Lara

His smile and his hazel eyes lit up any room, his love for his family and church ran deep, and his sixty-six-year marriage to Virginia strengthened them both. On April 21, 2021, Pete Martinez Lara, loving husband of Virginia Lara, father of six, grandfather of eight, great-grandfather of seven, passed away at the age of 91, peacefully in his home surrounded by loved ones. His beloved nickname was Popo.

As a precautionary measure during the COVID pandemic face mask or face covering is required during all services. Visitation will begin at 2 pm, with a Rosary recited at 3pm, Sunday, April 25, 2021, both at the funeral center. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 1pm, Monday, April 26, 2021, at Santa Teresa Catholic Church. Interment in Mt. Calvary Catholic Cemetery. Services are in the care of Callaway-Jones Funeral and Cremation Centers, Bryan-College Station.

Pete was known for his sense of humor, and he was always ready to stop eating a bowl of menudo to make a joke. Just days before his passing, he was joking with his youngest daughter to “get him a beer.” His grandkids have fond childhood memories of him teaching her to draw silly googly eyes on faces in newspapers and magazines–an activity they did often. He was a lover of British comedies, the Three-Stooges and old westerns. Pedro (Pete) never knew a stranger for he would shake hands with anyone near and smile his way into your heart. He was a good, God fearing-simple man, says his son John. John remembers him saying quite often, “Those people having all that trouble would have been better off staying at home”.

Often, Pete had a broken-in baseball mit nearby to play catch. He was a catcher for the LULAC baseball team in the 1950s. His oldest grandson remembers watching Cubs games on TV with him in the afternoons.

In his professional career, Pete was retired from the Texas A&M grounds crew. When his grandchildren attended St. Joseph’s School, they eagerly said hello to him on the campus as he was the onsite maintenance person at the School. He also owned and operated his own landscaping company.

Pete was a life-long member of St. Teresa’s church, a member of Knights of Columbus and Santos Nombre, a Sunday church usher and prayed the rosary daily. In 1986, Pete and Virginia made a pilgrimage to Mexico City to the Basílica de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe.

Pete started his life on May 13, 1929 in Normangee, Texas; his parents were Francisco and Adelita Lara and stepmother Julia Moncivais Lara. The love story of Virginia and Pete began when Pete saw Virginia walking in downtown Bryan. On their first date, they shared a piece of pie and a coke.

Pete’s spirit left his body but lives on with his family and friends. Pete is survived by his wife of sixty-six years, Virginia C. Lara. His children Vera Lara, Adela Lubbers, Elizabeth Lara, Loretta Becht, John A. Lara and long-time family friend Paul Bonardi. His eight grandchildren Oscar and Francesca Rodriquez, Angela and Aaron Avila, Peter, Virginie and Sandrine Becht and Jonathan Lara. His seven great grandchildren Zola and Luzia Rodriquez, Makaylyn, Madeline, Henry, Evelyn Rodriquez, and Ezra Avila. His brothers Frank, Phillip and Richard Lara and his sister Terry Rivera. Pete is preceded in death by his parents, Francisco and Adelita Lara, stepmother Julia Moncivais Lara, his son, Peter Lara, his sisters Ramona Bosquez and Janie Rushing Lara.

Your gift in kind as a memorial donation in Memory of Pete Lara be given to St. Joseph Catholic Church, 507 East 26th Street, Bryan, Tx 77803 or Santa Teresa Catholic Church, 1212 Lucky Street, Bryan, Tx 77803.

Pete and the Lara family would like to express their gratitude to Brazos Valley Hospice Care for their kind, compassionate, and competent end of life care.