Texas Border Business
Former McAllen ISD school board member, Eduardo Izaguirre, passes away.
The McAllen ISD family lost a special member recently. Former School Board member Eduardo Izaguirre passed away.
Mr. Izaguirre served 10 years (1975-85) on the McAllen Board of Trustees. He twice served as Board President. That was in 1979-80 and 1984-85.
He served during a time of major growth for the district. Seven new schools opened up during his decade on the Board. This included McAllen’s second high school. Memorial opened in 1980, seven decades after McAllen High. Also, a new sports stadium for the district opened in 1976. This is McAllen Veterans Memorial Stadium. It was and still is the largest stadium in the Valley.
Other successes include the Regional Regional Day School Program for the Deaf and a district-wide orchestra program. Eduardo Izaguirre made an impact on thousands of McAllen ISD children that has stood the test of time.
McAllen – Eduardo R. Izaguirre Sr., better known to his friends as Eddie, Rancher, Businessman and Civic Leader 82, entered eternal rest on Friday, January 15, 2021 at McAllen Heart Hospital. He was born on February 13, 1938 in Brownsville, Texas to Lazaro J. Izaguirre and Esther Ruenes Izaguirre. He was preceded in death by his parents and his loving wife of almost 60 years Graciela Nevárez Izaguirre.
Eduardo is survived by his children; Maria Esther Izaguirre, Sylvia Izaguirre (Cesar) Alaniz, Eduardo R. (Racheal) Izaguirre,Jr. and Lazaro J. (Melissa) Izaguirre, brother-in-law, Dr. Miguel A. Nevárez ll, eleven grandchildren; Cesar J. (Angela) Alaniz Jr., Dr. Veronica I. Alaniz, Diana Carolina (Miguel) Gómez-Lizarraga, Federico (Itziger) Gómez lll, Analisa (Aaron) Lopez-Williams, Eduardo R. Izaguirre lll, Daniel J. (McKaley) Izaguirre, Victoria Izaguirre, Iliana L. Izaguirre, Gabriela E. Izaguirre and Alissa E. Izaguirre, five great-grand children; Miguel A. Lizarraga, Tristan J. Roll, Fabiola and Paola Gómez, George R. Alaniz, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Eduardo graduated from McAllen High School in 1956. He attended Texas A&M University and went on to become a prominent business man in the Rio Grande Valley. He owned and operated several movie theaters; Valley Drive-In, which opened in 1971, Buckhorn Drive-In and Cine El Rey which opened in 1947.
Eduardo was very involved in his community. His civic contribution and participation was extensive. He worked hard to make a difference for the citizens of the Rio Grande Valley. His civic contributions to the city of McAllen include the following: Former member of McAllen’s most prestigious board, the Planning and Zoning Board, Former member of the McAllen School Board of Trustees; Assistant Secretary 1975-76 & 1976-77, Vice President 1977-78 & 1978-79 and was twice elected President of the McAllen School Board 1979-1980 & 1984-1985. He was Instrumental in the hiring of the first Mexican-American Superintendent in the history of MISD., He was a former Chairman and President of McAllen Ex-Students Association, Representative for the McAllen High School Senior Class during their 50th. class reunion, Ex-Board Member of the McAllen Boys & Girls Club, Former Finance Chairman for the Boys Scouts of America for Starr, Hidalgo, Cameron & Willacy Counties, Former President of the McAllen Civic Center Board, Former Director of the McAllen Memorial Booster Club and the McAllen Bulldog Quarterback Club, Former Director of the McAllen Civitan Club, Former President and Director of the Rio Broadcasting Company & the Albuquerque Corporation Owners of Radio Stations in Texas & New Mexico, Director of the Spanish Theater Owners of Texas and a member of the National Theater Owners of America, and three time Chairman of the Hidalgo County Appraisal Review Board.
Eduardo loved his family, friends and his community. He enjoyed going to his ranch and beach house, having lunch with his friends, watching his beloved Texas A&M Aggies and Dallas Cowboys, attending his grandchildren’s sports games and eating a good steak. He will be dearly missed and will remain always in our hearts.
Visitation will be held at Our Lady of Sorrows Friday, Jan. 22 at 6 pm with a rosary at 7pm. Funeral mass will be 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan 23, 2021 at Our Lady of Sorrows. The family requests that there will be no reception line and that everyone adheres to the CDC rules of social distancing and mask wearing. Cemetery services will be private family only.
