Monico Luis Cisneros

13
Share:

Our father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, “Tio,” and friend M. Luis Cisneros embarked on his final adventure on Sunday, Dec. 4, 2011.

Born to Monico Cisneros and Dolores Ocanas Garcia on June 21, 1931, “Louis” spent his life in service – to his family, to his nation and to his community. His path led him to fearlessly face every challenge, to fiercely defend his t

ruths and to succeed at every venture he attempted.

After graduating from Lockhart High School in 1950, he married his lifelong love, Manuela “Meme” Recio, and embarked on a life of partnership and dedication. After briefly playing professional baseball with the Brooklyn Dodgers, he began his military service, enlisting in the US Army in 1952, when he was drafted into service to his nation. That service continued for nearly 30 years, before he retired in 1982 at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

During his military service, he earned dozens of awards, including: the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star with two Oak Leaf Clusters, an Air Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Army Commendation Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, a Korean Service Medal with two campaign stars, a Vietnam Service Medal with two campaign stars, the National Defense Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, the Republic of Vietnam Staff Honor Medal, the Armed Forces Reserve Service Medal, a Parachutist Badge, a Combat Infantryman Badge, a General Staff Information Badge – Army General Staff, the Pentagon, a Meritorious Unit Commendation and a Good Conduct Medal (awarded for enlisted service).

While serving in the military, he also pursued his education, earning a Bachelor of Science in Education from Southwest Texas State Teachers” College in 1957, with a major in Business Administration and a minor in History. He also earned a Master of Arts in Management from Webster University in 1976, and an Associate of Applied Science in Real Estate in 1984.

After his retirement, he returned to his hometown, in hopes of continuing his service, this time to his “people,” the friends and neighbors in Lockhart who had shaped his life, and whom he hoped to repay for helping him on his path to success.

In 1985, he was elected to the Lockhart ISD Board of Trustees, where he served until 1990. That year, he was elected as Lockhart”s first Hispanic mayor, a position he held until 1996. Not yet finished with public service, he was then appointed, and later elected, as Caldwell County Justice of the Peace, Precinct One, the position he held until his retirement in 2010. During his years in public office, he also served on dozens of elected and appointed boards and commissions, asking himself each day, “What can I do to serve someone else today?”

Of all his titles, he cherished most the title of “educator,” having served as a professor of Business Management at Austin Community College, and as the chair of the Business Division of the Cypress Creek and Northridge Campuses of ACC.

Socially, he was a life member of the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was a member of the Catholic Veterans of America, Lions International, the Lockhart Pan American Golf Association, and the Sibert Masonic Lodge.

He leaves to cherish his memory and his legacy his wife of 59 years, Manuela Recio Cisneros; his children: Louis A. Cisneros, Anna Marie Cisneros Schwertfeger, Elizabeth Recio Cisneros, Dolores Kay Cisneros O”Connor, Carl M. Cisneros and Lisa Anselma Cisneros Barnes; his grandchildren: Christian Lee Cisneros, Joseph Luis Edward Cisneros, Matthew Alan Cisneros, Alison Nicole Schwertfeger, Lindsay Michelle Schwertfeger, Travis William Schwertfeger, Victor Jonathan Yanez, David Aaron Yanez, Lauren Davida Yanez, Patrick Ryan O”Connor, Kaitlin Marie O”Connor, Pierce Alan O”Connor, Antonio Luis Cisneros, Laura Patricia Cisneros, Erica Michelle Cisneros, Monica Manuela Barnes Runge and Nicholas Michael Barnes; his great-grandchildren: Isaac Xaiver Yanez, Tyler Nicholas Runge, Jayden Wade Yanez, David Victor Yanez, Braden Victor Runge, Julius Avery Yanez, Aaliyah Justine Yanez, Hollisten Kade Cisneros, Mattison Rene Cisneros, Michael Gonzales and Nathaniel Gonzales; dozens of nieces and nephews, and great-nieces and -nephews; and a host of loving friends.

Services for Mr. Cisneros are scheduled this week. The family planned to receive visitors from 5-8 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 7, at Eeds Funeral Home, with recitation of the Rosary at 7 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, Dec. 8, 2011, at 2 p.m. at St. Mary”s of the Visitation Catholic Church, 214 W. Pecan St., in Lockhart. Burial will follow at St. Mary”s Cemetery.

After the services have concluded, the family will receive callers at a reception at St. Mary”s Parish Hall.

Honored to serve as pallbearers are: Christian L. Cisneros, Nicholas M. Barnes, Victor J. Yanez, Patrick R. O”Connor, Antonio L. Cisneros and Travis W. Schwertfeger. Honorary pallbearers are: Joseph Luis Edward Cisneros, Matthew Alan Cisneros, David Aaron Yanez and Pierce Alan O”Connor.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a memorial contribution to Healthy Child Healthy World, 12300 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 320, Los Angeles, Calif., 90025, or online at www.healthychild.org.

All arrangements with Eeds Funeral Home, 408 S. Main St., Lockhart, Texas (512) 398-2343.

Share:

13 comments

  1. Frank Coggins 6 December, 2011 at 00:30 Reply

    Condolences to the Cisneros family. Judge Cisneros was a true hero and role model for us all. He gave willing to his community and his country. We will miss his wisdom and his warmth. RIP Judge Cisneros, you made a difference.

  2. Ford Martin, LTC. USA (R) 6 December, 2011 at 16:15 Reply

    I have known Lou since 1965 when we were in Vietnam together. He reminds me of John 15:13 in the bible which says “Greater love has no man than this: to lay down his life for his friends.” Lou would lay down his life for his friends.

    Ford Martin

  3. Claudine Recio Gonzales 6 December, 2011 at 19:00 Reply

    Tio Luis will be missed by many people. He was always willing to serve and turned none away. He helped me build my first home, he stuck with me through the entire process and took my husband and I out for dinner to celebrate. He was so happy for us and always gave so much of himself to our family. He always inspired me and it seemed that the older he got the more he inspired me to be a better person. I love the way he loved my Tia Nellie, she was always so happy and she loved her husband with all her heart. I am blessed to be related to such wonderful people. He definitely left behind a wonderful legacy.

  4. Dolores Carmen Rodriguez Hernandez 7 December, 2011 at 14:45 Reply

    Well deserved tributes and accolades will be showered endlessly by family and friends on Tio Luis, brother of my mother, Lorenza Cisneros Rodriguez. In my deepest grief, I offer two words: Pure Class. Tio, may the love of Almighty God bring you into His Glory and grant you eternal rest and peace. Amen.

  5. Connie Amaya 7 December, 2011 at 17:54 Reply

    I will miss him very much, his wisdom, his friendship. How I loved to talk to him every where I went. If I saw him, we always had something to share. My dad’s favorite brother-in-law. Always looking up to him and always cherished what he would tell him.
    Pray for my dad, he misses him very much.

  6. Lynda G. Jones 8 December, 2011 at 01:17 Reply

    My condolences to the family of Former Mayor Mr. L. Cisneros. Mr. Cisneros was very kind to me by making a personal visit to me at my new office, making me feel very welcome into the position and to our Community. His legacy will endure and be exemplary to many.

  7. Cynthia Fischer 10 December, 2011 at 06:49 Reply

    Dolores O’Conner,
    You know me as Cindy Brown from work years ago. I am also from Lockhart. I am so sorry to hear of your father’s passing. I remember what a great and dedicated person you are. You took a lot after your father. He will visit you in your your dreams. I know because my lovely grandmother(who is now deceased) does. It was hard to say goodbye. She told me it wasn’t goodbye. Hang on to my Catholic faith and I would soon see her again. I feel the energy from my tears of missing her brings her back to me in my dreams. Take care my friend. I miss you too. Cindy PS. Your father set such an example for all who knew him. Most of all, to your family. He will be missed but never truly gone.

  8. Melinda Aguilera 11 December, 2011 at 01:11 Reply

    Our prayers are to the entire Cisneros family. My mother, Dora Aguilera and Tia Renteria were just talking not to long ago about the memories that were shared while their husbands were stationed with Mr. Cisneros. I was young at the time; but Thirty something years later I still remember his smile and the hugs. I am truly saddened by this and send our Love and Prayers.

    Los Aguileras

  9. shawn wagner 12 December, 2011 at 20:28 Reply

    prayers to the Cisneros family god bless each and every one of you especially your dad and husband for the great friend father and grand father and great grand father uncle father-in-law and mostly for the examples he set for all of us and showed the latino community just because your mexican does not mean you can not be or become someone of a role model in every aspect i will always admire him for showing us not to limit our ability in life of what and who we can become in our comunity he set an example to all that you can do what you really want with hard work and dedication to achieve the goals you set in your life he MR.CISNEROS acomplished alot in his time and so he showed us you can too. i am greatfull to have met MR.CISNEROS WHEN I WAS IN THE 7TH GRADE AT JR.HIGH SCHOOL I WOULD RIDE MY BIKE TO SCHOOL EVERY DAY BECAUSE I WANTED TO STAY AFTER SCHOOL TO HANG OUT WITH MY FRIENDS AND HE ALLOWED ME TO PARK MY BIKE AT HIS HOUSE THIS IS HOW I MET THE BEAUTIFUL FAMILY THAT HE HAS. FROM THAT POINT ON HIS SON CARL WOULD ALWAYS CALL ME IRON MAN. GOD BLESS HIM IN HEAVEN I WILL MISS YOU BUT DON’T WORRY I WILL ALWAYS CHECK ON YOUR FAMILY WHEN IN TEXAS I NOW LIVE IN WISCONSIN

Leave a reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.