Eleazar Jimenez (EJ) Chapa of Hondo passed away Monday, Jan. 23, 2023, at the age of 85.

EJ was born August 5, 1937, in Pearsall, Texas, to parents Reynaldo Chapa and Modesta Jimenez Chapa.

Growing up in Pearsall he enjoyed music and played trumpet in the high school band and Nieto's Orchestra throughout Frio County. After graduating from Pearsall High School, EJ met and married Hilda Medrano of Charlotte, Texas.  EJ and Hilda were blessed with two children, Norma Chapa Renken of New Braunfels and Ed Chapa of Corpus Christi.

EJ was a successful furniture and appliance store owner in Hondo and later Castroville, Texas.  He was very active in his church and later became an ordained minister.  EJ established and pastored the First Hispanic Baptist Church in Castroville with support from his family. He also did mission work in Mexico and pastored a church in Puerto Vallarta while there.  His lifelong love for Christ and his ministry were truly his priority with his family, friends and all he met.

EJ was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Gloria Adame, Baldemar "Tony" Chapa, Ernestina Perez, Reynaldo Chapa II and Roel Chapa.

He is survived by his his wife of 66 years, Hilda Chapa; his children, Norma Renken and Ed Chapa and their spouses David Decker Renken and Judge Jacqueline Del Llano Chapa; grandchildren, Jillian Renken Brown (Tanner), Drew Decker Renken (Erin), Ryan Ashley Chapa, Kendall Lauryn Chapa and Marissa Christine Chapa; and great-grandchildren, Sonny and Birdie Brown. Also surviving are his sister, Gilda Treviño, and brother, Ray Chapa.

EJ loved his family dearly and was blessed to have them at his side in the days leading up to his passing.  The family is comforted in the knowledge of his strong faith and that he is now in God's eternal kingdom.

Visitation will be Thursday, Jan. 26, 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., at Guinn-Horger Funeral Home Chapel.

Funeral service will be Friday, Jan. 27, 11:00 a.m., at First Baptist Church of Hondo, followed by interment at Hondo Cemetery Annex.