Mr. Lonzo Al Meraz's Obituary
Lonzo Al Meraz, passed away last Monday, February 27, 2012 at the home of his son, James Meraz in Clear Lake Shores, he was 90 years old.
Lonzo was born on February 22, 1922 in Houston to Mary and Antonio Meraz, he had one older sister Dora and two younger brothers Raymond and David. The youngest, David Meraz died from Leukemia many years ago.
Lonzo graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in Houston and joined the Army Air Force during WWII where he became a Radio Operator and assisted in Navigational duties on a B-52.
Lonzo's father, Antonio died when Lonzo was a young man and being the oldest brother he became the man of the house and helped raise his siblings with his mother Mary, this according to younger brother Ray Meraz. Lonzo was a very hard worker and was creative on how to go about raising money to help the family, Ray also told us of how Daddy (Lonzo) acquired an old Hut Mobile and took out the back seat and he and Ray filled the back area with news papers and delivered them. Daddy also took an old trailer that he could pull with the car and installed a washer and dryer on it, then go from home to home and for a fee would plug it in and let the families wash their clothes. Ray reminded us that this was in the day when many families had no appliances and Lonzo's little rig was much appreciated by his customers.
Our father was the most sincere and loving man that I have known, he would always give other men a friendly nod and a lot of respect no matter who they were. The only time he did not offer an immediate smile was when he would come home after work and find out that one of us needed discipline, usually me and I still believe that it did hurt him worse than it did me.
Lonzo was preceded in death by his wife of over a half century Carmen (Connie) Meraz.
He is survived by his children, Kathy and husband Dale McElyea, Ricky and wife Beverly Meraz, Ralph (Sonny) and wife LeeAnne, Rodney (Brother), James and wife Laurie Meraz and Gerry and wife Priscilla Meraz. Lonzo also had 15 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren.
As a civilian after serving through WWII his career began at The Houston Chronicle where he was a Printer until he retired, we would talk about how so much had changed from the old lead-type days when each word had to be set and now it's all computerized.
It was hard to understand how what used to require a big room full of people and are no longer necessary. Many days he would work over and help to proof the pages among other things and it was a real family affair because all of the brothers worked there, David, Raymond and Daddy, even Aunt Nemo worked there, so did I and my beautiful cousin Terri, we lost Terri much to soon.
For his last few years Lonzo had been dealing with great memory loss but could pretty much always remember his kids but would regularly ask "where is Moma". For his last year or more he lived on beautiful Clear Lake Shores with his son James and would go for rides on the golf cart down to watch the boats or sunset and thanks to Amelia, his care person, he slept well and ate well too.
What’s your fondest memory of Lonzo?
What’s a lesson you learned from Lonzo?
Share a story where Lonzo's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Lonzo you’ll never forget.
How did Lonzo make you smile?