Eduardo Botello, an American Patriot, passed away September 17, 2020. Eduardo was born May 19, 1925 in Laredo, Texas. He was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Carlota P. Botello; his parents, Anastacio Sr. and Abelina Sanchez Botello; his brothers, Anastacio Botello, Benjamin Botello; sister, Alicia B. Vidaurri.

He is survived by his five children, Eduardo Jr., Ruben Gerardo, Carlos David (Rosie), Nydia (Miguel Angel) Garcia, and Marissa (Jose Jr.) Leal. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Anissa Botello, Adriana Leal, Alejandro Jose Leal, Luis Miguel Garcia, Carlos Joaquin Botello, and Jorge Eduardo Botello. His surviving sisters include Rosa Flores and Olga Botello of Laredo.

Lalo, as he was affectionately known, loved his Country and served it faithfully. He was inducted into the U.S Army at Ft. Sam Houston on August 17, 1943. He became an expert with an automatic rifle and a sharpshooter with the M-1. He served with the 79^th Infantry Division, 313 Infantry Regiment. The division shipped to England in April 1944 and soon after landed in Utah Beach France on June 12 during the Normandy invasion. After breaking out of Normandy, he was transferred to Patton’s 3^rd Army and continued fighting in France where he faced battle in Lunevile, France. Wounded on October 13^th by mortar shell on St. Edward’s Feast Day he was flown to Naples Italy and was awarded his first Purple Heart. Returning to duty in December, he continued the fight in Hagenau, Alsace-Lorraine where he was wounded once more on January 1945. He was then awarded the Oak Leaf Cluster to the Purple Heart. After his recovery, he returned to duty and crossed the Rhine River March 1945. After some time in battle, he suffered a concussion in Duisberg, Germany. He then served in the Office of Military Government in Germany (Berlin) for several months after the war had ended. He was honorably discharged on December 1945 and arrived home on December 23, 1945. He was awarded the Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster, Combat Infantryman’s Badge, EAME w/ Bronze Star, WWII Victory Medal, Army Occupation Medal, National Defense Medal, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, Liberation of France Medal, and he was most proud of the Presidential Unit Citation signed by President Harry Truman.

Following his military career, he finished High School at Martin High and continued his studies at St. Edward’s University. Joining the U.S. Customs Service, he served our Country once again for 40 years. He was known for many narcotic seizures during this time. Coming out of retirement, he then served as A Deputy for the U.S. Marshall Office in Laredo for 5 years.

In 2008 Eduardo was inducted into the U.S. Customs Hall of Honor. In September of 2014, Lalo participated in an Honor Flight to Washington D.C. to visit the World War II Museum. He was also a member and officer of various veteran organizations such as the VFW, Purple Heart Org., DAV, American Legion, and Combat Infantrymen’s Assoc. He was most honored to read the names of fallen soldiers during Memorial Day services.

The family will be receiving guests, Monday, September 21, 2020, at Fred Dickey Funeral & Cremation Services from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm. A Holy Rosary will start at 7:00 pm. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, September 22, 2020, at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. The Funeral Mass will begin 9:00 am. Interment will follow to the City Cemetery where Military Honors will be provided by the U.S. Army Guard.

Pallbearers will be Eduardo Botello, Jr., Ruben G., Carlos D., Miguel Angel Garcia, Jose Leal, Jr., Alejandro J. Leal, Luis Migurl Garcia, Carlos Botello, Jr.,  and Jorge Botello.

Funeral arrangements are by Fred Dickey Funeral & Cremation Services, 1320 Trey Dr., Laredo, Texas 78041 (956) 723-3611. For your convenience, you may leave your condolences to the family online at www.freddickey.com