The Vasquez Family - Corpus Christi, Texas
Vasquez had been Dr. Hector P. Garcia's bookkeeper as early as 1949. In early 1953, Leal and Vasquez first saw each other while Leal was waiting to see Dr. Garcia in the patient waiting room with her mother. When 19-year-old Leal was not with her mother, Dr. Garcia encouraged Leal to meet Vasquez, saying Vasquez was a "good catch." After a short courtship, Vasquez gave her an engagement ring on her birthday. Vasquez then asked her parents for her hand in marriage. Since Leal's mother did not want them to marry, Vasquez and Leal decided to elope. They were married on October 30, 1953, at the Nuevo Laredo, Mexico courthouse. The following year they married at Christ the King Catholic Church in Corpus Christi.
Vasquez and his wife served as Advisory Board Members of Our Lady of Guadalupe Center, and were co-founders of the Sembradores de Amistad, Scepter Club, and other local clubs in the 1960s and 1970s.
Arturo Vasquez and his wife, Marie, have seven children, thirteen grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.
"From his young age as a war fighter, to a collegiate, a CPA, a husband, a father to seven wonderful children, a city/state wide educational leader, a God fearing man, Arturo Vasquez lead a life that each one of us would be lucky to accomplish half in our life time." Former Marine and Grandson Nathan Ryan Schoggins
Arturo and Marie Vasquez at a Scepter Club Christmas party, circa mid-1950s.
Marie and Arturo Vasquez at a friend’s house waiting to go for a couple’s night out, circa early 1960s.
A family portrait of Marie and Arturo Vasquez with their children, circa 1967.
Marie, Debbie, Nadine, and Arturo Vasquez pose for a photograph, while at Prescott Pharmacy on a Sunday afternoon, circa mid-1950s.
Arturo Vasquez and his sons, circa early 1980s.
Arturo and Marie Vasquez, with their youngest child, Vanessa, at her 10-year-old Chucky Cheese birthday party.
Arturo Vasquez with his siblings, Rodolfo, Jr., Altagracia Molina, and Gloria Alicia Coronado, at Altagracia’s birthday party. Laredo, Texas, circa 1997.
Arturo and Marie Vasquez and their seven adult children.
Last photo of Arturo Vasquez, with Marie and their family. Photo taken at grandson, Daniel Martinez III's, wedding in Cypress, Texas, 2009.
The Vasquez Grandchildren
Marie Vasquez, grandson Sergeant Nathan R. Schoggins, and Arturo Vasquez.
Marie Vasquez, grandson Corporal Daniel G. Martinez, (PFC as pictured), and Arturo Vasquez.
Arturo Vasquez, "Popo," playing with Gabriel and Adrian on the family pool table.
Arturo and Marie Vasquez with their granddaughter, who is on the family pool table holding a cue ball.
Arturo and Marie Vasquez with their granddaughters: Allison, Jacquelyn, Michaela, Addie, and Sarah.
Marie and Arturo Vasquez holding their youngest grandchild, Claudia.
Arturo Vasquez, and grandson Gabriel, reading the newspaper.