Reynaldo (Ray) Alonso Maldonado

reynaldo (ray) maldonado
Reynaldo (Ray) Alonso Maldonado, 83, of New Braunfels, Texas, passed away on Saturday December 12, 2020. He is survived by his wife, Judith Dane Maldonado. They shared 52 years of marriage together. Born in Benavides, Texas, he was the son of the late Juan and Julia Maldonado. A long-time parishioner at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, he enjoyed spending time with family, growing roses and all things University of Texas. Before retiring to New Braunfels, Ray taught Spanish for many years in the Houston Independent School District and later served as the Director of Foreign Languages. He was an outstanding teacher, winning Teacher of the Year on multiple occasions. He not only instilled a love of the Spanish Language in his students but was a mentor and father figure to many. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his daughters, Mary and Oscar Coronado, and Melissa and Charles Park; his grandchildren, Sebastian O. Coronado, Madeliene E. Coronado, Benjamin C. Coronado, Joseph R. Coronado, Nicholas A. Coronado, Jonathan K. Coronado, Sophia S. Park, Zoe E. Park; and his sister, Elvie Galaviz. The viewing will held on Tuesday, December 15, 2020 at Lux Funeral Home from 5:00-8:00 p.m. with the Holy Rosary to be recited at 7:00 p.m. The Funeral Mass will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 16, 2020 at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church with interment to follow at St. Joseph’s Cemetery.

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  1. My deepest sympathy to Mr Maldonado’s family. He was truly one of a kind and will be missed by so many students who had the honor to have been taught by him. Ollie Thompson Ginn

  2. Mr. Maldonado was like a second father to me since 1978. He was my Spanish teacher for 4 years at Scarborough High in Houston and was an outstanding teacher and an incredible mentor. I texted or talked to him each Father’s Day and will always treasure seeing him at UT games. Rest In Peace Senor!

  3. Our deepest condolences to the family of Mr. Maldonado. We enjoyed sitting either in front of or behind the Maldonado family at church every Sunday. He was always so happy and you could see the love for his family thru his eyes. Mary, I am so sorry for your loss. You and your family will be in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. Rest in peace Mr. Maldonado. Lacy & Jeffrey Booker

  4. We loved you dearly. You will be missed greatly, but Heaven is a better place with you there. You were my second Father.

  5. The greatest teacher, mentor and father figure a punk like me could have ever wished for. God bless you Senor Maldonado!

  6. Thinking of you and wishing you moments of peace and memories of joy during this difficult time.

  7. Mrs. Maldonado, your husband will be my Hero forever as the teacher and father figure who changed my life. All my love and prayers are with you all

  8. Stories and Memories of Ray will be with us forever. Thinking of them makes me laugh, smile, and miss him. His was a life well lived.

  9. Señor Maldonado was a rare gift to us all. He was the teacher who changed my life and I considered him like the father I never knew, always role-modeling excellence for us and instilling in us the belief that we could achieve anything. As our Spanish teacher, he went above and beyond with all that he invested of himself in us as his students, and we all loved him so dearly. He gave me opportunities in my education and career that I’d never have had without him: my becoming fluent in Spanish as a second language played a HUGE part in my admission to Rice University as a first-generation college student (as it turned out in my interview with the Dean of the University, he knew Spanish and we ended up conversing solely in Spanish, then my letter of admission followed promptly thereafter). And my being bilingual has continued to open doors in my career as an attorney to this day, allowing me to get the best jobs where I can continually use the gifts he so miraculously gave to me. He opened a whole new word to me with Spanish, leading me to travel extensively throughout Mexico and Central America, and to study at a university in Zacatecas when I was in high school. I truly don’t have enough words to describe the lasting impact he had on my life and on that of all his students. He leaves a legacy that will endure forever and he will be dearly missed but never ever forgotten. My prayers for comfort go out to his dear wife and daughters and all the family. Your husband, father and grandfather was a Hero to so many. May God bless you always

  10. Mr. Maldonado – you were the best!! I had the honor of having you as a teacher, mentor, and friend while taking Spanish Class all 6 years at Scarborough Jr/Sr HS in Houston. The quality of your instruction and care for, and interest in, your students was unparalleled in all of my classes and teachers throughout my high school, college and grad school years. You were a second father figure to me and extremely influential throughout my life. I attribute my ability to retain and converse very well in Spanish to this day, 40 years after graduating from Scarborough HS, to you and your classroom and your tremendous ability to teach and lead young people. I constantly surprise people with my Spanish speaking ability and always mention that I had a GREAT teacher in high school and think back on those Scarborough days. I am sure God has a special place in heaven for you. I wish peace to your family. God Bless you and your loved ones. Jeff Drury – Scarborough Class of ’80

  11. Mr. Maldonado was my Spanish teacher from 1973 – 1979. He was a wonderful teacher and had a positive impact on my life. He was a superb role model. May he rest in peace. -Howard (Eugenio) LaRoche, MD. Scarborough High School. Class of 1979

  12. With heartfelt memories we remember our dear “Señor”. Señor taught all three of us Spanish at Burbank Jr. High in Houston and will always remain in our thoughts as our impactful teacher and Spanish Club sponsor. Those days of the Spanish Club banquets were memorable ones not only for us but also for our parents who avidly looked forward to it every year. He will always remain in our fondest school memories! He will be in our prayers and may you, his family, find comfort in knowing he was so lovingly adored by so many. The Sheffield Family (Madeline, Bill, and Sam)

  13. Senor Maldonado was truly a great man. I was privileged to sit in his classroom from 7th through 11th grade at G.C. Scarborough in Houston, Texas. He was a humorous, caring, energetic teacher. It’s been over 40 years since I graduated High School but I’ll never forget him. To this day, when the conversation turns to favorite teachers, I speak of him. May God richly bless and comfort his wife, daughters and grandchildren. I know he will be missed but I’m sure he won’t soon be forgotten. Jon Hodge. Class of ’79

  14. Sorry for your loss. I had both Señor Maldonado & Miss Utsey (his wife-math teacher & home room teacher) as teachers at Burbank Jr. High School. Both were great teachers. Richard Payne


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