Francisco Vera, age 86, of Houston, TX, passed away peacefully on July 15, 2026
at his home surrounded by family.
Life & Legacy
He was born on January 29, 1940, in Marianao, Habana, Cuba to Raimundo Vera and Teodora Rodriguez.
Francisco immigrated into the United States in 1960 at the height of the Cuban Revolution. Once in the United States, he was recruited by the CIA, went to Guatemala, and trained for the Bay of Pigs Invasion. As a result, he was a Prisoner of War for 20 months before being released by the Cuban communist regime back into the United States in December 1962. Once here, he worked as a mechanic for 35 years and was a short-road truck driver for eight years before retiring in 2006.
He enjoyed spending time with family, going to Air Shows, shooting guns, watching old Westerns, Matlock, Hawaii 5-0, and any war movie that was on tv. He loved taking his grandkids to see tanks and nothing beat Waffle House on a Sunday morning. He was known for his generosity, charming personality, love of storytelling and especially spending cherished time with his grandchildren.
Family
He is survived by his beloved wife of 64 years, Idolidia (Hilda) Martinez, their daughter Sonia Vera Castiblanco, and her husband Mauricio Elias Castiblanco, as well as their daughter Magaly (Maggie) Vera Parker and her husband Anthony (Tony) Parker; his grandchildren Alex Leiva, George Leiva, Danny Castiblanco, Anthony Parker, Jose Parker, and William Parker, as well as 10 great grandchildren with one more on the way. He is also survived by his only brother, Tomas Vera, and many nieces, nephews, and other beloved family members.
He was preceded in death by his father, Raimundo who passed in 1979 and his mother Teodora who
passed in 2001.
Funeral & Memorial Services
Visitation will be held at Leal Funeral, 11123 Katy Freeway, Houston, TX on July 19, 2026, from 4:00 pm to 8:00 p.m. followed by an added viewing on Monday, July 20, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the same location.
Burial will follow at Forest Lawn Cemetery, 8601 Almeda Genoa Houston, TX with a small graveside service held at 11:30 a.m.
A Note from the Family
The family would like to express our deepest gratitude to the hospice team at Heart-to-Heart Hospice for their compassionate care and unwavering support. Your kindness has meant more than words can express.
May he rest in the loving arms of our Lord. Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him.