Roy Castillo

San Angelo - Roy C. Castillo, 90, died on March 26, 2013. Roy was a long time resident of San Angelo. Survivors include his wife, Cruz Martinez Castillo and his son, A. Mario Castillo of Washington, DC, as well as numerous nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents, Amado M. Castillo and Josefa C. Castillo who were early pioneers in the Mexican-American community of San Angelo as grocery store and restaurant owners and operators; and by his brother Jose Castillo and sisters Mariana Flores, Juana Castillo, and Francis James. During World War II, Roy served as a Private First Class in the U.S. Army; Roy was among the first occupation troops to land in Japan after the detonation of the two atomic bombs on that country. He would vividly recall his ship's approach to a Japanese harbor in the company of his fellow soldiers. With a natural curiosity for the unknown, he made friends with many Japanese officers after the surrender of that country to the United States. In April 1946, having been Honorably Discharged at Fort Bliss, Texas, Roy returned to San Angelo, where he worked in his father's grocery stores until he affiliated with L.W. Puckitt's water drilling and irrigation company. In the early 1970's, Roy and Cruz purchased the company and renamed it, Pump Service and Supply, Company. Roy was the principal of Pump Service and Supply and, with his wife's help, successfully operated the business until they sold it in 2010. He held a Master Pump Installer's license. Throughout West Texas, Roy was recognized as the "pump" expert to go to for quality and dependable service for ranchers and oil companies such as Exxon and Shell. In addition to his work in West Texas, Roy serviced clients in other parts of Texas, Northern Mexico and New Mexico. A self-taught irrigation systems expert, he was instrumental in developing a water delivery system for the construction of Amistad Dam at a time when experienced engineers were baffled by the project's challenges. Many ranchers have shared stories with the Castillo family about calling Roy on Christmas Eve or other holidays, at odd hours, for help in delivering water for their livestock, knowing that Roy would "show up and make things right no matter what." He was an avid reader and a lover of history, often entertaining friends and family with local lore and war stories. His legacy, left to his son, is that of community service, love of country and family. As a member of the American G.I. Forum, he served as president of that group's local chapter after his return to San Angelo from military service. Robert Massie Funeral Home is entrusted with funeral arrangements where a rosary service will be held on Thursday, March 28, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. at the Robert Massie Riverside Chapel. Services will be held at Immaculate Conception Church in Knickerbocker, Texas on Friday, March 29th at 10:00 a.m. Pallbearers will be Ernest Perez, John Castillo, Raymond Torres, Menard County Judge Richard Cordes (DVM), Rene Alvarado, and Javier Martinez. Cruz and Mario want to make special mention of the care that was provided to Roy by the Lighthouse Hospice and Eden's Concho Health and Rehab Center. Particular appreciation is extended to family friends and companions, Faye Braswell and Robin Teague. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts or Fort Concho Museum.