Hector Requenez

HECTOR REQUENEZ EDINBURG — Hector Requenez, 38, was called upon by the Lord on February 8, 2013, at Edinburg Regional Medical Center, surrounded by family and friends. He was born August 16th, 1974 to Hermilo and Raquel G. Requenez in Edinburg, Texas. Even though he was born with SMA (Spinal Muscular Atrophy) Hector lived an unprecedented and remarkable life with the coordinating efforts of family, his countless wonderful and admirable friends and unconditional love of his parents who gave all of their endless time and care for his needs. As a child and throughout his living years, Hector’s philosophy of life always was, “Time is valuable to me and I know some of it will be wasted, so I might as well enjoy it!” If I see something I want, I go for it! I don’t set any daily goals for myself. Whatever comes along, comes along. I just make the best of it and live my day as though it was the first and last day of my life.” Hector and his brother Rene became the poster children for Muscular Dystrophy from 1978-1983 during their elementary school years. Hector attended Edinburg public schools and graduated among the top 10 percentile in his class. While in Edinburg High School and through his 11th and 12th grades he entered VICA (Vocational Industrial Club Association) where he became very involved in the technology field. There he placed 1st and 2nd place in a state competition in San Antonio. For that he was recognized and received honors from the late ex-Governor Ann Richards. That accomplishment earned him a $500 certificate award. He was also invited to and attended “Assisted Technology Conferences” in Dallas and Washington D.C. He was always there to help, facilitate, and assist all who needed help, especially those people with disabilities. To enhance people’s quality of life was always Hector’s primary goal. In his senior year, he was elected by his classmates to be the television program director of CAT-TV station which aired on cable channel 36 from 5-9 (except Tuesdays and Fridays). He also directed and produced the videotaping of Friday night football games. Among his accomplishments came the honor of being selected “Student of the Year”. After graduating, he continued his love of learning at UTPA where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree and the honor of Who’s Who in American Colleges. Yet Hector kept striving and aiming at higher goals for himself so he could help those people with special needs. To him the sky was the limit. In 2003 he received his Master’s degree in rehabilitation services with a 3.8 GPA, the highest in that field for that year. After he received his Master’s, he worked at UTPA for 3 years in the “Rehabilitation Assistance Technology Program”. There his priorities and goals were to help students with disabilities better accommodate their needs so they could succeed and accomplish their goals. Among his hobbies were computer games, researching “What’s new in assistive technology”, fantasy games, movies, hours at the mall and he was a great football sportsman for the New England Patriots. He loved going out with his crowd of friends and there was nothing he wouldn’t do for them. He lived his latter days as if each day would be his last. Hector is preceded in death by his brother, Rene; paternal grandpa, Alfredo Requenez and maternal grandparents, Aguedo and Dubelsa Garcia. Surviving him are his most beloved and cherished passions his parents, Hermilo and Raquel G. Requenez, along with his paternal grandma, Anita Requenez, numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. Visitation will be from 5 to 9 p.m. with a 7 p.m. prayer service today, February 10, 2013, at Memorial Funeral Home in Edinburg. Funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, February 11, 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 Edinburg.