Federico "Kiko" Vela

FEDERICO "KIKO" VELA EDINBURG - Federico Vela, 78, went to be with the Lord on Friday, July 5, 2013, at McAllen Medical Center surrounded by loved ones. He was born on January 26, 1935,in El Azucar, Mexico, to Eulogio Vela and Santos Villarreal Vela. He is preceded in death by his parents, Eulogio Vela and Santos Villarreal Vela; four brothers, Gabriel Vela, Roberto, Florindo and Jesus Sanchez; and a nephew, Israel Sanchez. Federico is survived by numerous nieces and nephews who loved him dearly. Also surviving him are his sisters, Adelina de la Cruz of Corpus Christi and María Concepción González of Edinburg. Tio Kiko, as he was known to all, was a loving uncle to all his nieces and nephews. After working as a ranch foreman in Houston for many years, he retired, and relocated to Edinburg. He was a humble man with a great sense of humor. He loved watching old John Wayne movies, and the company of his dog Zeus. He especially liked going places with his nieces, Alyssa Sanchez-Ramirez and Krystina Sanchez. Spending time with them was as great a joy to him as it was for them; they will forever cherish those memories. He also enjoyed his daily visits with his friends at Los Amigos del Valle Adult Day Care. He will be greatly missed by all whose lives he touched. Visitation will be held from 3 to 9 p.m. with a 7 p.m. rosary today, July 8, 2013,at Memorial Funeral Home, 208 E. Canton in Edinburg. Funeral mass will take place at 2 p.m. Tuesday, July 9, 2013, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Edinburg. Interment will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Edinburg. The family would like to give a special thank you to Norma, his bus driver at Los Amigos del Valle, his provider Ana Maria Cantu, and Dr. Ben Garza of Edinburg. Pallbearers will be Hugo Sanchez, Saul Sanchez, Jose M. Sanchez, Gabriel Sanchez, Israel Sanchez, Jr. and Krystian Sanchez. Funeral services are under the direction of Memorial Funeral Home in Edinburg.