Obituary of Jose Nieto Robledo

Jose Nieto Robledo, a community activist, Catholic leader, and beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and brother, passed away on August 7, 2021, at the age of 86. After a six-year battle with cancer, he died peacefully in his home with his Beloved wife Consuelo and his loving family by his side. Jose was an exceptional man of great faith who believed strongly in everything he put his mind and soul into, and nothing more so than his family. His remarkable success story as the son of a migrant sharecropper, the father of 13 children, a devoted husband for 66 years of marriage, an active church member and community leader serves as an inspiration to anyone who ever dreamed of bigger things. His selfless dedication to the people and causes he believed in prove to be an inspiration to anyone who has ever felt the call to get involved. Jose was born in Webberville, Texas on March 19, 1935, to Asencion and Paula Nieto Robledo. He grew up in Edinburg, Texas and as a young man, he left school early to help support his family by working as a farmer and as a migrant farm worker. In 1955, Jose married the love of his life, Consuelo Alfaro Robledo. Together, they raised 13 children and were blessed with 30 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. Throughout his life, Jose gained a wealth of work experience as a truck driver, a welder, a fertilizer applicator and a foreman. He also attended night school to obtain his GED. He often remarked how he was able to use all this experience in his job as Buildings and Grounds Superintendent for the Edinburg School District, overseeing the maintenance of 36 school campuses. His strong work ethic was an inspiration to his family, and although his role as a parent and provider would have been enough to keep anyone busy, Jose answered the call from God to do more, and he worked hard for the betterment of his church, the Rio Grande Valley and the State of Texas. Jose was a member and active participant of the Holy Family Church of Edinburg, Texas since it was established in 1967, serving as a Eucharistic minister, scripture reader and catechist teacher. He was an active member of the Cursillistas and ACTS church movements, which were established to create Christian environments through “teaching by example.” He was also a member of the Movimiento Familiar Cristiano, which provided Christian-based guidance to families. He and his wife Consuelo were also members of the Marriage Encounter movement and served as a sponsor couple to soon-to-be married couples for over thirty years. Jose also volunteered to serve as a minister to adolescents in the Hidalgo County Juvenile Detention Center for over twelve years. Through Holy Family Church, Jose also became involved with the Valley Interfaith organization after its creation by Bishop John J. Fitzpatrick in 1982. During each legislative year, Jose traveled to Austin, Texas with other Valley Interfaith members to educate elected public servants on the issues affecting the families of the Rio Grande Valley. He helped to organize meetings between local and state political leaders to rally support for these causes. Jose was very proud that these efforts were ultimately successful in generating funding to improve the valley’s infrastructure, education, health care, immigration and livable wages. Jose was recognized by the Diocese of Brownsville and the City of Edinburg for his involvement in working towards improving the quality of life for all residents. He and his wife Consuelo were awarded Public Citizens of the Year by the National Association of Social Workers LRGV Branch in 2013, and they also received a proclamation by the City of Edinburg recognizing their lifetime achievements. His family will always cherish the memories of time spent together, including fishing trips along the Texas coast, camping in the Texas Hill Country, and dancing the night away at the annual MFC Valentine’s Dance. Dad enjoyed spending every day tending to his garden and sharing his love of the outdoors. His children and grandchildren will always remember the breakfasts Grandpa Joe cooked for them every Sunday after mass. Barbeques at the Robledo house were not complete without his brisket and home-made barbeque sauce. Jose was preceded in death by his parents, his grandson Fernando Robledo, son David Robledo; and five siblings, Jose Robledo, Escolastica Silva, Manuel Robledo, Susana Leon, and Roel Robledo. Jose is survived by his wife, Consuelo Robledo; twelve children, Joe Angel Robledo, Alma Rosa Robledo, Lucia Smith (Roy), Irene Robledo, Annabelle Dillard (Randy), Paula Alaniz (Abel), Moises Robledo (Martha), Dahlia Robledo, Michelle Anguiano (Stephen), Gabriel Robledo (Janine), Eva Marie Coleman (Chris), Sarah Robledo Ybarra (Fernando); 30 grandchildren, Denise, Candace, David Angelo, Tesslyn, McKenzie, Brian, Michelle, Roy, Stephen, Jennifer, Ashley, Jacob, Laura, Katie, Alex, Marcelino, Jose Nieto, Mia Carina, Sophia, Lazaro, Austin, Alaina, Vegas, Ayla, Kyrie, Dillon, Caeli, Michael, Brandon, Emily; 5 great-grandchildren; and two siblings, Maria Perales of Moses Lake, Washington and Rene Robledo of Edinburg. Visitation will be Monday and Tuesday, August 9th and 10th 2021, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. with a 7 p.m. Rosary each day, at Legacy Chapel, 4610 South Jackson Road, in Edinburg. Funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, August 11th 2021, at Holy Family Church, 1302 E. Champion, in Edinburg. Interment will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Park Cemetery in Edinburg.