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Victor Navarro Memorial Scholarship Fund Established

Long Time Petersburg ISD Educator Victor Navarro Leaves Powerful Legacy

Victor Navarro played an integral role in shaping the lives of literally thousands of students at Petersburg ISD over nearly 40 years of dedicated service.  To honor both the man and his contributions, a memorial scholarship fund has been established.  Tax deductible contributions can be made to the Victor Navarro Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Joey Nichols, Petersburg ISD, Box 160, Petersburg, Texas 79250.  These funds will be utilized to provide scholarships to Petersburg ISD students desiring to further their education, allowing Victor's influence to continue to be felt in the years ahead.

Victor A Navarro

Victor was born on June 8, 1949 in Petersburg, TX to Jose and Andrea (Alonzo) Navarro. As a young man growing up in Petersburg he worked with his family picking and chopping cotton, then worked at Eaves Grocery Store as a sacker and butcher.  Later working for the City of Petersburg, he had  part time jobs at the Lubbock Airport, then as a student aide at Petersburg I.S.D., which led to a full time job as a teacher’s assistant after graduating from Petersburg High School in 1968. He married his High School Sweetheart, Bentura Castilleja on December 19, 1970 in Petersburg, TX. He retired as a teacher’s assistant at Petersburg I.S.D. after 38 years in May, 2007.  He worked with kids from Pre-K through 6^th grade from 1968 – 2007 and he knew every child’s name and if people couldn’t pronounce or remember a child’s name, then he would give them a nick name that would stick for life.  We estimate he worked with over 5000 kids during his time at Petersburg schools and left an impression with all the kids he came in contact with.  He treated all of his kids with respect and treated them all the same. One of his past students, Alan Hegi, a former student and now an attorney in Ft. Worth, Texas wrote the following when he heard of Victor’s passing, “I was so sorry to hear of Victor’s passing.  Please let Bentura and his daughters know that they (and all of you) will be in my thoughts and prayers during this sad time.  Victor was a great role model and an excellent (and patient) coach and teacher for us boys.  We will miss him”.

Victor also played semi-pro baseball with the local Pirates baseball team where he pitched, was the catcher and third baseman for the team.  He also coached Tee-ball and little league and pony league baseball.  His real passion was cooking.  Not only did he cook for his family, but also for friends.  That passion became one of his hobbies, he would cater for reunions, weddings, graduations, birthdays or just to help those in need.  He loved sports and was an avid Buffalo, Red Raider, Rangers and Cowboy fan.  He loved to tailgate with friends and family at the Red Raider games.  Victor could not go anywhere without his music, he loved to dance and loved to listen to his favorite music with his friends.  One of his many hobbies was raising farm animals.  His most cherished group of kids, were his grandchildren and would go watch them play sports, school events and even go pick them up after school even when they moved to Lubbock. Victor was a beloved member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Petersburg.

Those left to cherish his memory are his beloved wife, of 39 years, Bentura of Petersburg, two daughters, Marcie Lyn Navarro (Joe Ovalle) of Petersburg, and Mandee Kay Navarro (Ever Olivas) of Lubbock; three grandchildren, Jakob and Kade Medina, Kynlee Ovalle; three step-grandchildren, Jade Olivas, Brandon and Ava Ovalle; eight brothers, Eusebio, and Juan of Lubbock, Roberto of Abernathy, TX, Jesus of Canyon, TX., Jose Jr. Clemente, Martin, and Erminio all of Petersburg; four sisters Louisa Navarro of Lubbock, TX, Panfila Navarro, and Margarita Olivarez of Petersburg, TX., and Rosa Barnes of Onalaska, TX. mother-in-law Manuela Castilleja of Petersburg, Texas.

Victor A. Navarro departed this life on January 20, 2010 at the age of 60 with his wife and two children and friend Meter Sanchez at his bedside. Mr. Navarro is preceded in death by his parents, Jose and Andrea A. Navarro.

Rosary Service was held at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, January 21, 2010 at White Memorial Chapel in Lubbock, TX.

Mass of Christian Burial was held at  11:00 a.m. Friday, January 22, 2010 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Petersburg, TX. Pallbearers: Emetiro (Meter) Sanchez, David Juarez, Jose (Guero) Munoz, Eluterio M. Castilleja (J.R.), Jose Navarro, Jr., Domingo Sedillo.  Interment will follow at Petersburg Cemetery.