Orasio G. Vela, 86, of Bishop, Texas passed away peacefully on September 30, 2026, at his home in Bishop, surrounded by his family.

Orasio was born on September 15, 1940 in Bishop, Texas to Reymundo Vela and Josepha Garcia Vela.

He worked for many years as an Operator at Reynolds Metals in Houston, Texas. After his first retirement, he continued serving his community as a bus driver for Santa Gertrudis, where he retired for the second time.

Orasio loved life, loved his wife, children and siblings, and above all he loved his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He enjoyed spending time outside — tending to his plants, cutting the grass, or simply sitting on his front porch watching the birds. He enjoyed traveling, especially trips to the casinos or to see the Dallas Cowboys. He knew no stranger and somehow spread his good cheer everywhere he went. He will be deeply missed.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Reymundo and Josepha Garcia Vela; and by his siblings, Reymundo Vela (Lela), Lydia Strickland (Don), Genoveva Anzaldua (Amalio), Rosa Salinas (Raymond), and Oralia Estringel.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 38 years, Susanna Candelaria Vela; his children, Ronaldo (Ronnie) Vela and his wife Teri, Alma LeMaire and her husband Gadell, Orasio Vela Jr. and his wife Marny, and step-son Ruben Solis and his wife Liana; his brothers, Roel Elio Vela (Mary Alice) and Oscar Vela (Velma); his grandchildren, Benjamin Vela, Hailey Garcia, Kyle Henze, Rien Solis, Rydr Solis, Reid Solis (Makenna), Roen Solis, Gabrielle Vela West, and Andrea Vela; and his great-grandchildren, Karsyn Compton, Trey Compton, Wesley Martinez, Sofia Vela, Evelyn, Dallas, Wren, Eva, and Violet.

The family will receive condolences from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at Turcotte-Piper Mortuary; with a holy rosary to be recited at 7:00 p.m. A mass of christian burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at St. James Catholic Church in Bishop, Texas. A rite of committal and interment will follow at St. James Cemetery in Bishop, Texas.

The family wishes to thank everyone for their love, prayers, and continued support.