Roberto Olivo Caldera

Roberto O. Caldera (Changa), age 67, entered into rest September 13, 2013 in his home in San Antonio, TX after a long battle with lung cancer. Robert was born January 14, 1946 in San Antonio, TX. Robert is a veteran of the Vietnam War, where he earned several medals, including the Purple Heart. The discipline and patriotism he learned in the Marines never left him, as friends and family will attest. He was preceded in death by his father, Eleazar M. Caldera, mother, Dominga O. Caldera, brother Carlos O. Caldera, brother Eleazar M. Caldera and is survived by his wife Maria (Lulu) Caldera; children, Roberto Jr. and wife Lisa, Robert Cadena and wife Barbie, Michele and husband Braulio Espinosa; grandsons Vincent, Nathan Jones, Tyler Jones; granddaughters Alejandra Espinosa, Olivia Espinosa; sisters, Margaret Sanchez, Rosa and husband Luis Zepeda, Carmen and husband Pablo Uriegas, Sandra and husband Richard Gallegos; brothers, Abel and wife Aurora, Jesse, David, Edward and wife Esther, Richard; numerous nieces and nephews.

Each of us has had our own relationship with my Dad, each of us our own memories and words that capture the magnitude of this man, but I hope that through these words we will all recognize some part of the man we knew.

Dad did not read books, but he read the newspaper every day from cover to cover. He was simple. In the early years all he needed was a pair of worn out jeans, a few t-shirts an 18-pack of Miller Lite and a carton of Winston Reds.

Daddy could be defined in part by his sense of humor and by his simple understanding of right and wrong. He was fiercely loyal to his family and friends. Daddy was a giver by nature. He loved us all unconditionally. Whether you were family or friend or a stranger on the street he took care of you without question or judgment.

My father provided us an example of the strength of a man who truly loved his wife. And while he was never an overly religious man he religiously played the lotto and prayed for the Mega Millions.

My father was, is, always will be a soldier, a marine, a spurs fanatic, a lover of evening game shows and Vanna White; a devoted brother; a dedicated husband and caregiver to my mother; a resurrected father to my brother and me. A friend and father figure to his daughter and son in law. And the best, most awesome grandfather to our children.