Roman Carrasco, Jr., born December 3, 1937, succumbed to his battle with cancer on December 2, 2020.
Raymond, as he was known to family and friends alike, was the second of three children born to Roman and Manuela Carrasco. His wife of 59 years, Bertha Irene, lovingly called “Machie”, preceded him in death in 2018 after 61 years of marriage. He cared deeply about his family, as a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.
Surrounded by the Hernandez family, cousins, and grandparents, Raymond grew up to be strong willed and good natured. He graduated from Jefferson High School and attended San Antonio College in San Antonio, Texas. As a young man, he played the trumpet and drove his "Purple People Eater", a 1955 purple Mercury Coupe with pin stripping, and a picture of a "purple people eater" on the rear fender.
Initially in his career, Raymond drove his father’s trailers to haul wholesale produce across the United States. Later on, Raymond bought and drove dump trucks in the construction industry. Looking back on his trips across the nation, Raymond loved to recount these adventurous tales of his work on the road to his beloved family.
Raymond and Bertha Irene were wed on July 6th, 1957. Together, they raised a beautiful family of five children: Cynthia, Rebecca, Roman, Richard and Kathryn, all of which are now blessed with devoted spouses. Raymond was also a doting grandfather to many wonderful grandchildren, and adoring great-grandfather to loving great-grandchildren.
Raymond loved sharing his wisdom and wealth of knowledge on all subjects, and was especially skilled in gardening, driving in severe weather and finding the best restaurants in every town he had ever been. He always had a fiery passion that was infectious to everyone around him, particularly in his storytelling, which made hearing his stories just as enjoyable as when he told them first time. He was a fantastic cook, expert in barbequing and Tex Mex anywhere there was an open flame, at home or camping on one of his many trips fishing in Canada. Raymond was also forthright in his advice and always up to date on politics, weather and the Dallas Cowboys. He always enjoyed keeping himself busy, whether he was gardening his beautiful African violets or cooking his mouth-watering briskets and breakfasts or doing puzzles and reading his newspapers.
Raymond’s legacy lives on through his loving family and countless others he touched throughout his lifetime.
Raymond is survived by five children: Cynthia (Joseph) Guerra, Rebecca (Tomas) Rodriguez, Roman III (Gwyn), Richard (Ana) and Kathryn (Robert) Martinez, 14 grandchildren who adored their grandfather, ten great-grandchildren, his sister, Consuelo “Connie” (Louis) Amesquita Frey, numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
The Family is heartbroken that due to the risks associated with contracting COVID-19, the traditional and customary practice of receiving extended Family and Friends during the viewing, the celebration of the Funeral Mass and subsequent burial will be limited to immediate Family only.