Geronimo T. "Jerry" Olivarez

GERONIMO T. "JERRY" OLIVAREZ PHARR – Geronimo T. Olivarez, 73, passed away Sunday, May 19, 2013. He was born in Cd. Camargo, Tamaulipas, Mexico to Tiburcio and Barbarita Olivarez and lived in Pharr most of his life. Mr. Olivarez is survived by nine children, Jose Manuel (Mary) Olivarez, Frank (Britta) Olivarez, both of Conroe, Texas, Diana (Danny) Smith, of Pharr, Fernando Olivarez, of Conroe, Margie (Tom) Scurlock, of Spring, Cris (†David) Zarzour, of Conroe, Linda (Joe) Carrillo, of San Antonio, Lilly Olivarez, of Conroe, Esther (Arnaldo) Corpus, of Mission; the mother of all of his children, Rosa Maria Olivarez, of Conroe; 35 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; seven sisters, Manuelita (†Jesus) Villescas, Margarita Olivarez, Ma. Angelica (Neno) Luna, Placida (Pablo) Salazar, Guadalupe (†Haroldo) Mendiola, I. Cristina Olivares, Rosa E. Olivares; twobrothers, Tiburcio “Bucho” Olivarez and Francisco Olivares; and countless nephews and nieces. Jerry’s work life started early in the fields of much of the Rio Grande Valley and so did his love of cars. He owned “The Olivarez Texaco Station” in downtown McAllen in the early 60s. He then moved into aircraft mechanics, working for Chicago’s airport in the 70s then Hangar 10 in McAllen in the 80s. He was a man of many talents, there wasn’t much he couldn’t fix or build. He was a true craftsman. In the latter years of his life, he spent most of his time doing handy work for his home away from home, Matt’s Cash & Carry, where he had so many dear friends. Our father was a free spirit with a giving and loving heart. He fought until the end with unquestionable courage. He will be always greatly honored and sorely missed. Special thanks to Dr. Weber and staff at M.D. Anderson in Houston for their love, care and dedication to our father; Dr. Osio, Texas Oncology, Dr. Dahetsani at DHR Cancer Center, and the staff of Amara Hospice in McAllen for their care and dedication in our transition. Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. today, May 20, 2013, at Memorial Funeral Home in San Juan. Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, May 21, 2013, at Memorial Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow at Palm Valley Memorial Gardens in Pharr. Funeral services are under the direction of Memorial Funeral Home in San Juan.