Julio Cesar Montenegro

Julio Cesar Montenegro entered into eternal rest on Thursday, September 10, 2020 at the age of 79.

Mr. Montenegro is preceded in death by his father, Julio Montenegro Rego and mother, Rosario Lopez Arias. He was born in La Habana, Cuba and left to Spain in 1970 to be reunited with his father and sister where he lived until 1974. He was given his Refugee Visa in 1974 and traveled to New York, New York. He was then hired by International Stores as a Warehouse Manager arriving in Laredo, Texas on July 1974 where he met the Love of His life Moraima Gallego.

They married on December 18, 1974. After International Stores, he worked as a Truck Driver for Laredo Hardware, that is located on Market St. After that, he embarked in his own business opening his first store CAPRI STOP & GO on McPherson Rd and then opening his second store CAPRI STOP & GO on March 1981 which is still operating on 1001 Market St., Laredo, Texas 78040. He enjoyed very much being around his family, friends and customers. He enjoyed the visits and conversations he had with his customers. At the store he handed out pens and yearly calendars as a token of appreciation to everyone that went to the store. He was always seen smoking his Cigar and was known to many as EL CUBANO. Even though he wasn’t from here, he was glad to be here in Laredo, Texas and considered himself a Laredoan. He loved going to Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, where he had many, many friends.  Julio enjoyed spending time with his friend and compadre +Nati Lozano from El Gastronomico along with others that would frequent the bar.

He was a very charismatic, funny, strong character person with his usual strong voice but people that knew him, knew he was very kind-hearted and always ready to help someone in need.  There is not a person he didn’t meet that he didn’t impact in one way or another.

Julio was a family man that was always attentive to his wife and daughters.  He catered to his wife and daughters and loved his grandchildren with all his heart.  He suffered with chronic pain and COPD for many years but fought a good fight to stay and take care of his family.

Survivors include his wife, Moraima Montenegro, his 2 daughters, Veronica (Margarito) Montenegro Hernandez and Moraima (Harvey) Montenegro McGraw, 7 grandchildren: Marco Antonio Hernandez, Kiara Monique Hernandez, Mario Alberto Hernandez, Kaycee Marlene Hernandez, Kaylee Maylene Hernandez, Denise Villarreal and Julio Daniel Villarreal, 2 sisters, Julita (+Eliseo) Montenegro Vazquez and Maria Luisa (+Amador) Montenegro Lopez of Miami, Florida as well as numerous sister-in-law’s, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

We would like to give a special thanks to Dr. Norberto Alvarez and Dr. Mummady as well as all of the LMC nursing staff that took great care of him and Doctors Hospital Staff that cared for him for a short time.

His family and loved ones will miss him dearly and will always carry him in their hearts.

A visitation will be held on Sunday, September 13, 2020 from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Gamez & Sons Funeral and Cremation Services where a rosary will be recited at 7:00 p.m.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, September 14, 2020, from the funeral home to Christ the King Catholic Church where a funeral mass will be celebrated at 8:30 a.m. Funeral home opens at 7:00 a.m. and a procession departs at 8:00 a.m.

Cremation will be held at a later date.

In accordance with city ordinance, the number of visitors will be limited to 50 percent occupancy capacity. Please feel free to wait in your vehicle for a turn if the funeral home reaches capacity. All visitors must wear a face mask before entering the building and use hand sanitizer provided upon entry. Visitors must provide their own face covering.  Anyone that is knowingly sick or has upper respiratory illness is asked to stay home and may be denied entry.