Oscar J. Zuniga
Encyclopedia
Oscar J. Zuñiga, Sr. was a registered professional engineer
and land surveyor
who played an important role in the construction of several residential neighborhoods in his native Laredo, Texas
. In 1988, he was honored by his peers as "Engineer of the Decade" by the Gateway Chapter of Professional Engineers.
, (subsequently Martin High School
) and served in the United States Navy
aboard the USS Jerauld in the Pacific Theater
of World War II
. The Jerauld was launched in November 1944, from Astoria, Oregon
, and steamed to Pearl Harbor
, Okinawa, and Guadalcanal
during 1945.
After his military duties, Zuniga completed his bachelor of science
degree in mechanical engineering
from the University of Texas at Austin
. Registered as a professional engineer and surveyor, Zuniga practiced as a consulting engineer for more than thirty years. He provided mechanical and electrical engineering design and consulting services to public and private clients across south Texas. In later years, he joined with partners, including Armadillo Construction Company, in developing residential neighborhoods throughout Laredo, including Hillside Terrace, Shiloh, and Eastwoods. In addition, he served on the boards of various financial institutions and community organizations, including City National Bank (later NBC Bank) and the Mercy Hospital
Advisory Board (later Laredo Medical Center).
Zuniga was also active in the Border Olympics, a track-and-field event held in Laredo in which Southwest Conference teams compete. Sabas Zapata, III, a Laredo businessman and a Border Olympics official in the 1980s, recalled Zuniga as one of "quiet demeanor, always offering advice and help. . . . a valued behind-the-scenes volunteer." Zuniga died at the age of eighty-five at his home on the Paul Young Ranch. Coincidentally, Porter Garner, Jr., a former Laredo businessman and another active Border Olympics volunteer, died the same week as Zuniga.
Zuniga was preceded in death by his wife, the former Patricia Young (October 27, 1928 - August 24, 2002); a son, Bernard "Zed" Zuñiga (1961–2001); grandson, Robert Paul Zuñiga (1974–2005); four brothers and three sisters. Survivors included his brother, Alfonso J. Zuñiga, Jr.; sisters Norma Lucila Benavides, Martha Cecilia Martinez (husband Robert), Florencia Trevino (husband Meme) and Sylvia Zuñiga; nine children, Patricia Zuniga "Patti" Starnes, engineer Oscar J. Zuñiga, Jr. (wife Jay), of San Antonio
, Lydia Juarez (husband George), engineer David Michael Zuñiga (wife Sylvia), of Boerne, Texas
, Paul Zuñiga (wife Sally), Helen "Bucca" Treviño (husband Bill), Dee Dee Hrncir (husband Bill), Arthur Zuñiga (wife Melissa), and Stella Zuniga Burkhalter (husband Hunter Wyatt Burkhalter); thirty-two grandchildren, and nineteen great-grandchildren.
Zuniga was Roman Catholic. He was cremated; his ashes were scattered in the Gulf of Mexico
at his request.
Engineer
An engineer is a professional practitioner of engineering, concerned with applying scientific knowledge, mathematics and ingenuity to develop solutions for technical problems. Engineers design materials, structures, machines and systems while considering the limitations imposed by practicality,...
and land surveyor
Surveying
See Also: Public Land Survey SystemSurveying or land surveying is the technique, profession, and science of accurately determining the terrestrial or three-dimensional position of points and the distances and angles between them...
who played an important role in the construction of several residential neighborhoods in his native Laredo, Texas
Laredo, Texas
Laredo is the county seat of Webb County, Texas, United States, located on the north bank of the Rio Grande in South Texas, across from Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico. According to the 2010 census, the city population was 236,091 making it the 3rd largest on the United States-Mexican border,...
. In 1988, he was honored by his peers as "Engineer of the Decade" by the Gateway Chapter of Professional Engineers.
Background
Zuniga was the fourth of thirteen children born to Alfonso J. Zuñiga, Sr., and the former Conception B. de Quiroga. The original family home at 1101 Market Street in downtown Laredo was known as La Casa de Miel or "House of Honey". He graduated from Laredo High SchoolHigh school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
, (subsequently Martin High School
Martin High School (Laredo, Texas)
Raymond & Tirza Martin High School, known as Martin High School, is a secondary institution of learning located in the Laredo Independent School District in Laredo, Texas. Grades 9th through 12th are taught there. It serves students living in central Laredo...
) and served in the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
aboard the USS Jerauld in the Pacific Theater
Pacific Ocean theater of World War II
The Pacific Ocean theatre was one of four major naval theatres of war of World War II, which pitted the forces of Japan against those of the United States, the British Commonwealth, the Netherlands and France....
of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. The Jerauld was launched in November 1944, from Astoria, Oregon
Astoria, Oregon
Astoria is the county seat of Clatsop County, Oregon, United States. Situated near the mouth of the Columbia River, the city was named after the American investor John Jacob Astor. His American Fur Company founded Fort Astoria at the site in 1811...
, and steamed to Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor, known to Hawaiians as Puuloa, is a lagoon harbor on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, west of Honolulu. Much of the harbor and surrounding lands is a United States Navy deep-water naval base. It is also the headquarters of the U.S. Pacific Fleet...
, Okinawa, and Guadalcanal
Guadalcanal
Guadalcanal is a tropical island in the South-Western Pacific. The largest island in the Solomons, it was discovered by the Spanish expedition of Alvaro de Mendaña in 1568...
during 1945.
After his military duties, Zuniga completed his bachelor of science
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
degree in mechanical engineering
Mechanical engineering
Mechanical engineering is a discipline of engineering that applies the principles of physics and materials science for analysis, design, manufacturing, and maintenance of mechanical systems. It is the branch of engineering that involves the production and usage of heat and mechanical power for the...
from the University of Texas at Austin
University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin is a state research university located in Austin, Texas, USA, and is the flagship institution of the The University of Texas System. Founded in 1883, its campus is located approximately from the Texas State Capitol in Austin...
. Registered as a professional engineer and surveyor, Zuniga practiced as a consulting engineer for more than thirty years. He provided mechanical and electrical engineering design and consulting services to public and private clients across south Texas. In later years, he joined with partners, including Armadillo Construction Company, in developing residential neighborhoods throughout Laredo, including Hillside Terrace, Shiloh, and Eastwoods. In addition, he served on the boards of various financial institutions and community organizations, including City National Bank (later NBC Bank) and the Mercy Hospital
Hospital
A hospital is a health care institution providing patient treatment by specialized staff and equipment. Hospitals often, but not always, provide for inpatient care or longer-term patient stays....
Advisory Board (later Laredo Medical Center).
Zuniga was also active in the Border Olympics, a track-and-field event held in Laredo in which Southwest Conference teams compete. Sabas Zapata, III, a Laredo businessman and a Border Olympics official in the 1980s, recalled Zuniga as one of "quiet demeanor, always offering advice and help. . . . a valued behind-the-scenes volunteer." Zuniga died at the age of eighty-five at his home on the Paul Young Ranch. Coincidentally, Porter Garner, Jr., a former Laredo businessman and another active Border Olympics volunteer, died the same week as Zuniga.
Zuniga was preceded in death by his wife, the former Patricia Young (October 27, 1928 - August 24, 2002); a son, Bernard "Zed" Zuñiga (1961–2001); grandson, Robert Paul Zuñiga (1974–2005); four brothers and three sisters. Survivors included his brother, Alfonso J. Zuñiga, Jr.; sisters Norma Lucila Benavides, Martha Cecilia Martinez (husband Robert), Florencia Trevino (husband Meme) and Sylvia Zuñiga; nine children, Patricia Zuniga "Patti" Starnes, engineer Oscar J. Zuñiga, Jr. (wife Jay), of San Antonio
San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio is the seventh-largest city in the United States of America and the second-largest city within the state of Texas, with a population of 1.33 million. Located in the American Southwest and the south–central part of Texas, the city serves as the seat of Bexar County. In 2011,...
, Lydia Juarez (husband George), engineer David Michael Zuñiga (wife Sylvia), of Boerne, Texas
Boerne, Texas
Boerne is a city in the Hill Country of Texas in the United States. It is the county seat of Kendall County. Boerne was named in honor of Ludwig Börne, a Jewish German author and publicist, and its population was 10, 471 in the 2010 census. The city is noted for the landmark U.S. Supreme Court...
, Paul Zuñiga (wife Sally), Helen "Bucca" Treviño (husband Bill), Dee Dee Hrncir (husband Bill), Arthur Zuñiga (wife Melissa), and Stella Zuniga Burkhalter (husband Hunter Wyatt Burkhalter); thirty-two grandchildren, and nineteen great-grandchildren.
Zuniga was Roman Catholic. He was cremated; his ashes were scattered in the Gulf of Mexico
Gulf of Mexico
The Gulf of Mexico is a partially landlocked ocean basin largely surrounded by the North American continent and the island of Cuba. It is bounded on the northeast, north and northwest by the Gulf Coast of the United States, on the southwest and south by Mexico, and on the southeast by Cuba. In...
at his request.