Mr. Carmel O. Zarate Sr.'s Obituary
Carmel O. Zarate Sr., 93, of Pearland Texas passed away February 20, 2018. Carmel was born July 17, 1924 in Citrus Gove, Texas. Preceded in death by his parents Gregorio Zarate and Maria Ozuna. Brothers Frank, Marcelo Sr., Rosendo, Tommy, Sisters; Paula and Ricarda. Carmel is survived by his loving wife of over 50 years Mary Arocha Zarate. siblings; Guadeloupe Zarate, Julian Zarate, George Zarate, Amada Gonzales, Margaret Parrado, Alonzo Zarate, Esperanza Villarreal, Phil Zarate, Joyce Cantu, Maria Escobar, Natalia Valadez, Emilio Zarate Sons; Carmel Zarate Jr. wife Mary, Braulio Zarate, Oscar Zarate wife Marilyn, Michael Zarate wife Brooke, Anthony Zarate wife Margot, Gregory Zarate wife Molly, Patrick Zarate wife Erika. Grandchildren; Tanelle (Zarate) Sendelbach, Justin Zarate, Gabriela Zarate, Mickalle (Zarate) Hoevelman, Stephanie Zarate, Armando Zarate, Autumn Zarate, Eric Zarate, Alexis Zarate, Zachary Zarate, Anna Zarate, Lilly Zarate, Zoey Zarate, Emilia Martinez, Elena Martinez, Carmella Zarate Great Grandchildren; Benjamin Zarate Somoza, Izabella Zarate, Jaylee Zarate, Maeli Sendelbach, Lio Hoevelman.
Carmel volunteered to fight in World War II, after four of his brothers were already drafted into service. He served in the U.S. Army in the Pacific theater of operations. Carmel was an infantryman, machine gunner in Company D 132nd Infantry, of the prestigious Americal Division. Carmel participated in the “Liberation of the Philippines” earning the Combat Infantryman Badge, Bronze Star Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Theater Campaign Medal, Philippine Liberation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, Army of Occupation Medal (Japan), WWII Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal.
All five Zarate brothers returned safely from WWII wartime service in Europe and the Pacific. Carmel was a tremendous man, father, husband, brother, uncle and friend. We are who we are because of him. His legacy will continue through each of us and lives on.
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