Alonzo Ozuna Zarate
Alonzo Ozuna Zarate, 87, of Port Neches, Texas ascended the ladder of Eternal Life on Sunday, March 21, 2021 surrounded by his family. He was born June 30, 1933, in Buckeye, Texas, to Maria and Gregorio Zarate.
Alonzo had a unique family and was the tenth of seventeen children. He was a hard worker at a very young age and even helped to raise his younger siblings. He became a true cowboy as a young adult riding broncos in rodeos and was a rough and tough cowboy all of his life. Alonzo’s love for his horses, cattle, pigs, goats, chickens, and guinea hens was captured throughout his life on his ten acres of land, which was very near and dear to his heart for over fifty years. One of his favorite passtimes was riding horseback with his wife along the creek bank.
Alonzo was also an exceptional cook. He was notorious to all who knew him for his delicious meals he prepared, large or small. He loved to barbeque, and he catered many events throughout his life. He never let anyone go hungry and was very generous making sure that everyone had plenty. Alonzo, known as the Pitmaster Legend, was also known for his famous beans and cracklins that he sold at Moak’s Meat Market in Groves, Texas in the early 1980’s.
The morals and values that Alonzo instilled in his three girls at a very young age helped to mold them into the women they are today.
The family would like to extend their sincerest thanks to Heart to Heart Hospice for treating Alonzo with great dignity and excellent care. A special thanks goes out to nurses Jana, Victor, Natasha, Mrs. Hope, and Mrs. Phyllis.
He is survived by his wife of fifty-six years, Betty Zarate, of Port Neches, Texas; daughters, Heidi Millard and husband, Bryan, of Kountze, Texas; Rachel LeBlanc and husband, Brock, of Bridge City, Texas; and Amy Jacquo-Zarate and wife, April, of San Antonio; grandchildren, Taylor LeBlanc; Michael Millard; Gabby LeBlanc; Landon Millard; and Emory LeBlanc; siblings, Julian Zarate; George Zarate; Phil Zarate; Joyce Cantu; Mary Escobar; Natalia Valadez; and Emilio Zarate; and his beloved dog, Ginger.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Maria and Gregorio Zarate; son, Michael Steven Zarate; and siblings, Marcelo; Lupe; Carmel; Amanda Gonzalez; Rosendo; Margaret Parrado; Paula Zarate; Hope Villareal; and Thomas Zarate.
A gathering of Mr. Zarate’s family and friends will begin at 12:00 p.m., with his funeral service at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, March 27, 2021, at Broussard’s, 505 North 12th Street, Nederland. His interment will follow at Memory Gardens of Jefferson County, Nederland.
Memorial contributions may also be made to the Amyloidosis Foundation, 7151 North Main Street, Suite 2, Clarkston, Michigan 48346.
Please observe social distancing guidelines. By attending any public event you are acknowledging the risk of exposure to the Coronavirus. Please follow the guidelines provided by the Centers for Disease Control: cdc.gov
Memory Gardens of Jefferson County
Memory Gardens of Jefferson County
- 3098 us 69 nederland texas 77627
Funeral Service
Funeral Service
- 505 n 12th street nederland tx 77627
- 03/27/2021
- 2:00 pm
Gathering of Family and Friends
Gathering of Family and Friends
- 505 n 12th street nederland tx 77627
- 03/27/2021
- 11:04 pm
Comments
Betty Zarate
Goodbye to my first true love, my closest companion, my beloved husband for many years.. Our lives took a different path for several years but, we reunited and supported each other in our senior years,❤❤
Haylee Hartje
Dad was an amazing man!!!!! He would always make Amy & I some salsa with those hot, tiny peppers off that plant by the front door. He would grind them down in that Molcajete. I thought that was the coolest thing and after I got married I found one and bought it just like Mr. Zarate. It never tasted the same but I tried! After he made the salsa, I would get so excited to turn around and find out they didn’t have any chips so my happy face went to a sad face. Little did I know, he was already cutting the tortillas up to fry for us. That was a true chip! He was a true man, loving man and when you got him laughing, we would crack up! Thank you for all the good times with your family sir. Until we meet again!
Mike Martinez
How blessed I was the day I married in to Veronica’s family. Being part of such a large family with so many opportunities to share fun times and create amazing memories. Oh how I enjoyed spending time with Tio “Lonzo”. From rodeo stories, livestock and a shared love for everything bbq to spending time with a few to over 100 family members at family events Tio always had time to share time and laughs with me. I love you Tio. I will miss you and look forward to seeing you again. Much love and many hugs to Tia Betty, Heidi, Rachel and Amy and your families. Continued prayers for peace for everyone. ❤️
Jose Armando Chavez-Lufkin
Such sad news I’m so sorry for your loss. He was a great friend. My condolences to the family.
Gloria Harvey
So very sorry for your loss. I like to think of Lonnie and the Garcia family when we were all young and vibrant. Lonnie was always one to pitch in to help on the farm. I remember him helping to brand cattle, to fix broken machinery, to mow the pasture and to help fix fences. At our family gatherings, he would contribute yummy food, and his food was always the best. I loved his stories about him and Betty dating and dancing the night away. I loved to laugh with him. The sweetest memory was when he blessed one of his daughters before she flew back to her home. He was a good and caring dad. I could just tell that he deeply cared about his children and grandchildren. One can't leave a better legacy than that. Rest in Peace,, Lonnie, may God bless you in eternal rest.
Lisa Miller
I am so heart broken to hear of Mr. Zarate’s passing. What a kind soul he was and always had a smile on his face. May God comfort and give you peace for the days ahead. Your in my thoughts and prayers. Hugs to you Mrs. Zarate.
Hope Schroeder
Mr Zarate was a very sweet respecrful man, who always had a smile on his face. He appreciated any little thing you would do for him.. It was an honor taking care of him. He will truly be missed. Prayers for Mrs Betty and the family!
Ramon Hill
I have thought hard for two weeks and still don't know how to express my sense of loss. It has been fifty years since I became a friend of the only real cowboy I have ever known. He told me stories of his youth on the coastal prairies and then showed me in real life what he on a horse could do. We never talked about it afterwards but I have never forgotten the day when my horse fell on me and neither she nor I could get up, and Lonnie saved both our lives. When I think of him in heaven he will be riding a quick colt and from his back roping wolves while laughing and forever joyful.