Julian R Vasquez, of Galveston, departed this life on Tuesday, September 15, 2020 at the age of 77.  Julian died at UTMB Galveston with his beloved wife Rosa and their children by his side.

Born in the small Mexican coal mining town of Nueva Rosita, Coahuila in the summer of 1943, Julian was the third of seven children of Evaristo Vazquez and Maria De Los Angeles Ramos. As an active and rambunctious lad, Julian was sent to spend his summer vacations with his maternal grandparents on their ranch in Anahuac, Nuevo Leon.  It is there where he developed his love for horseback riding, horticulture, farming, and ranching.  His father who was a founding member of the local Fishing and Hunting Club, took him on many wilderness adventures in the mountain ranges near Big Bend.   Julian found his life-long passion for hunting and fishing on these trips and became a very skilled outdoorsman.    Out of love and respect for nature, he was adamant about hunting for food and not for the sport.

Julian attended Once de Julio secondary school as a young teen and then went on to study drafting at La Escuela Superior de Ingeniería.  At age 18, he fell madly in love with a sweet, beautiful, 15-year-old girl, Rosa Elia.  After a two year courtship, the young couple married and decided to reside in Nueva Rosita, Coahuila.    Julian and Rosa were eager to start a family and welcomed their first two children.   To support his family, he took a job working as a coal miner where he demonstrated remarkable courage, focus and drive.

Julian always sought to provide the best for his family.   To fulfill his promise of a better future, he made the courageous decision to emigrate to the United States in 1968 and settled in Galveston, Texas.  He was immediately enamored with the island for its beauty and for the fishing that fueled his passion.   Julian joined the ILA Local Union and worked as a longshoreman at the Galveston Wharves. His family grew shortly after settling in Galveston with the addition of four more children.

Julian was a proud father, grandfather and great-grandfather who was happiest when surrounded by family, fishing and hunting in the great outdoors or just sitting on the Seawall watching the waves roll in. He protected his family without hesitation and weathered many hurricanes and storms that riddled the island to secure their home.  He survived Hurricane Ike by climbing into the attic of his one-story house as it took on four feet of water from Galveston Bay.  Affectionately labeled as the “Mexican Chuck Norris” by his children, Julian lived an adventurous life and will be always remembered by his bravery and stories of his legendary feats.

Julian is survived by his loving wife of 56 years Rosa Vasquez of Galveston, TX; son Julian Vasquez (Monica) of Conroe, TX; son Jorge Vasquez (Veronica) of San Antonio, TX; daughter Diana McElroy (Billy) of Lewisville, TX; son Eddie Vasquez (Julie) of Santa Fe, TX; daughter Edna Rios  (Javier)of League City, TX; son Julio Vasquez (Anna) of Brooklyn, NY; grandchildren  Jor-jo Vasquez, Nicco Vasquez, Bryanna Taft, Jozef Rios, Jacob Vasquez, Jacque Vasquez, Kamryn Vasquez, Allie Rios, Brody Vasquez and Andrew Rios; great-grandchildren Hailey Taylor and Rory Lopez-Vasquez  He is also survived by his sisters Rosa Vazquez, Olga Wilson, Margarita Vazquez, Hilda Vazquez; and numerous nieces and nephews. Julian is preceded in death by his parents, his brother Antonio Vazquez and two sisters Irma Vazquez and Eva Vazquez.

No services will be held at Julian’s request, a small private celebration of his life will be held in Galveston, TX following his cremation.

The family is grateful for the great care given by Harbor Hospice, UTMB ER medical staff, UTMB ICU medical staff, and a special thanks to a great friend and neighbor Marilou Tubig.