FIRST HISPANIC MAYOR of HONDO, TEXAS Gregorio E. (Pete) Pedroza born in Rio Medina, Texas to Francisco and Eloisa Pedroza went to be with the Lord on March 13, 2009. Gregorio served in the U.S. Navy in the North Pacific Theater during WWII. A graduate of Dale Carnagie Institute, he was a tireless social servant. At Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, he was a member of the Holy Name Society, The Pro-Life Society, and the St. Vincent de Paul Society. Gregorio was a member of the Parish Council at St. John's Catholic Church and a Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus. He was a member of the American Legion, The Veterans of Foreign Wars, and G.I. Forum. As a civil servant, Gregorio served in the Hondo Sheriffs Reserve, The Hondo City Council, The Hondo Chamber of Commerce and served as the first elected Hispanic Mayor of Hondo from 1974 - 1978. Gregorio was recognized as Hondo Citizen of the Year in 1974. He worked tirelessly as president of the Medina County Handicap Association, member of the Childcare Association, and a volunteer for the Meals on Wheels Program. In 1997 Bishop John Yanta recognized him with an award for his initiative in creating a monument at the Hondo Cemetery to the unborn victims of abortion. He worked as linotype operator for the Hondo Anvil Herald and ran the Anvil Office Supply typewriter repair shop for 26 years, before he retired and opened his own small business, Pedroza Typewriter Sales and Repair. Gregorio is survived by Alicia Arcos Pedroza, his loving wife of 68 years and by his son, Dr. Gregorio C. Pedroza and wife Elidia of Apalachin, NY; daughters, Rosalinda and husband Col(ret) Nicholas Barron of San Antonio, TX; Mary and Ismael Aguilar from Helotes, TX; and Regina Marie and husband Alex Barrientes of Cedar Park, TX. He is also survived by twelve grandchildren, sixteen great grandchildren, as well as seven sisters, Francisca Haro of Natalia, Maria Augustina Rodriguez of Arizona, Maria Guadalupe Loza of Natalia, Julita Rodriguez of Devine, Luz Keneda of San Antonio, Janie Farias of California, and Jovita Hernandez of Devine; and brother, Doroteo E. Pedroza of San Antonio. The third of eighteen children Gregorio was preceded in death by his parents Francisco and Eloisa Pedroza; six brothers, Juan, Antonio, Pasqual, Ildifonso, Gavino, and Cresencio, and sisters Cristina, Remedios, and Maria Ausilia. His wish was that donations be made to the Firekeeper Fund, Inc Scholarship Fund, in care of his son Dr. Gregorio Pedroza, at 4 Deborah Drive, Apalachin, NY 13732 to provide scholarships for Hondo High School students. Rosary was led by Deacon Doroteo Pedroza on Monday. Funeral Mass was held Tuesday, Mar. 17, at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church. Fr. Ken Dakin officiated, assisted by Deacons Pedroza and John Schoellman. Pallbearers were grandsons, Gregorio E. Pedroza III, Alex Barrientes II, Vincent E. Pedroza, Jonathan Barrientes, Mike Aguilar, Nicholas Barron II, Stephen Barron, and James Ismael Aguilar. Entombment was at the Hondo Cemetery, St. John's Mausoleum.