Gregory Riojas

Gregory Samuel Riojas, beloved son, brother, uncle and loving husband joined his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on September 8th (the celebrated Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mother). A native of San Antonio, Gregory was born to Jesus and Mary Riojas. He was preceded in death by his father Jesus and wife Mary. Gregory was a Burbank HS (Class of 1974) alumni and proudly served his country in the United States Navy during the Vietnam Era. Through his sea service he traveled to The Virgin Islands, the Caribbean, The Netherlands, Cuba, Asia, and other countries. In Navy tradition, his ship crossed the equator and earned him and his shipmates the title of 'Shellback', an honored tradition and a highlight in a Navy career. When not deployed at sea, he played baseball for the USS Portland ship team earning him a worthy news write-up as a baseball player. He became a lifelong patient of Audie Murphy Veteran's Hospital due to service-connected injuries. Gregory also held employment as a postal worker at Fort Sam Houston and later retired medically.
He inspired those he met and knew including medical staff with his courageous zest for life, brave inner and physical strength, charismatic ways, humor, and faith in God. Often, he helped those in need and contributed to charities. Gregory shared a special connection with fellow servicemen and servicewomen he met and enjoyed talking to them about military life. He loved music, especially from the 1970's era and cars, including a special Corvette which was entered in car shows and placed in top categories. Greg married Mary Vasquez, the love of his life in San Antonio. He was extremely proud of his family, especially his nephews and nieces. He was proud that his nieces and nephew received higher education and continued our family's military service legacy. Gregory was part of the journey of niece Jennifer's graduation from the United States Naval Academy and Naval Post Graduate School, nephew Daniel's graduation from the University of Virginia at Wise and United States Air Force Training, and niece Chelsea's graduation from Monterey Peninsula College. He loved to travel and with his wife Mary visited Hawaii, Alaska, and other places in the continental U.S. Gregory was devoted to his parents and like his father Jesus, was a Disabled Veteran. He was a member of Disabled American Veterans Chapter 17/Randolph, American Legion Post 2/San Antonio and the Navy Postal Clerk Association.
Gregory is survived by his mother Mary, sisters: Carolyn Riojas, Lavonne Cortez, Beatrice Arocha, nephews Daniel Sanders and his wife Sarah, Gabriel Salazar and his wife Mary, J. De Leon and wife Yvonne, nieces LT. Jennifer Sanders Fleming and her husband LT. William Fleming, Chelsea Sanders, Ashley Cortez and many relatives & friends. He will be dearly missed but will live in our hearts forever.
Pallbearers: Roland Ramirez Sr., Rick Sanders, Gabriel Salazar, Rudy de los Santos, Mike Garcia, Carlos Tobias. Honorary Pallbearers: Mario Ponce and Victor Ponce.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Gregory's name to Navy Safe Harbor Foundation/Wounded Warrior Program, 1619 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22314 (please designate San Antonio, TX or Corpus Christi, TX location) or DAV/Randolph Chapter 17, P.O. Box 2614, Universal City, TX 78148.