Alberto Lara Rojo, also affectionately known as Popo Beto, peacefully entered the gates of heaven to join the love of his life, Margaret, on Oct. 18, 2021, at the age of 95. He was born on Jan. 6, 1926, to Ruperto and Marcela Rojo, in Marfa, Texas.

Alberto attended segregated Blackwell School in Marfa. He was drafted into the U.S. Navy during World War II, and was inducted on March 25, 1944, at the age of 17. He served his country proudly on Midway Island on the battleship USS New York as an aviation storekeeper. He was honorably discharged on June 6, 1946.

Upon his return from service, he met his future wife, Margaret Hartnett Rojo, at a Marfa theatre. They married at St. Mary’s Catholic Church on Nov. 28, 1948. From this union came three children, Patricia Ann Martinez, Albert “Conky” Hartnett Rojo, and Daniel “Danny” Hartnett Rojo. After his military service, Alberto worked as a mechanic at Eddie Pierce Motors in Marfa until a friend suggested working as an insurance agent where he could earn more money to support his young family. The new job meant a relocation to Alpine, Texas. He worked as an American National Insurance agent for 35 years, driving his Volkswagen bug from door to door to sell policies and collect payments. He was well loved and respected by his customers and his coworkers.

Alberto was a faithful and devout man. He spent his lifetime devoted to the church starting with teaching Sunday school at San Pablo Methodist Church in Marfa as a teenager. When he married Margaret, he converted to Catholicism. He was a member of Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church where he was a long time member of the Adult Choir. He was also on the Parish Council, Knights of Columbus, Holy Name Society, and a Cursillo rector and director during the Cursillo movement with Fr. Richard P. Lynch.

Alberto served his Alpine community in many capacities. He was active in VFW Post 7207 for over 70 years. He served as quartermaster for many years, attended weekly meetings, and every year set out flags on Memorial Day at Holy Angels Cemetery. He even participated this past May at the age of 95. He was also a member of the American Legion and the Lions and Rotary Clubs. He held posts in the Alpine city council and as a county commissioner. He was instrumental in integrating public schools to end discrimination alongside Pete and Elena Gallego.

Of all the many ways Alberto served others in the church and his community, he was most proud of being a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, and a loyal Alpine Bucks fan.

Alberto was a constant source of strength and support to his wife, Margaret, during their 67 years of marriage. They traveled to many places during his time as an insurance agent. They also loved to travel to San Jose, Calif., to visit his son and his family, and they loved to travel to Las Vegas, Nev.

During Margaret’s illnesses he was her primary care provider, and he always stayed overnight if she was in the hospital. During her years at a nursing home, Alberto would drive the twohour round trip to see her twice a week as a 90 year old.

He attended all of his children’s extracurricular activities, and continued that with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. You could always count on seeing him in the stands for all home games, often traveling as far as Sonora, Texas, the Permian Basin, and the El Paso, Texas, area with his sons Danny and Conky or grandson Danny and family to watch out of town games.

Alberto will be deeply missed by his family and friends. They are all comforted by the knowledge that he is reunited with his true love, Margaret. He is also able to go back to his active lifestyle which is why he lived such a fruitful life of 95 years.

He was preceded in death by loving wife, Margaret; his son William Hartnett Rojo; his parents; and his siblings Herminia Martinez, Chilo Mata, Goyo Mata, and Chano Mata,

Those left to honor and cherish his memory are his children, Patricia Martinez and husband Bobby from McAllen, Texas, Albert “Conky” Rojo and wife Linda, of San Jose, and Daniel “Danny” Rojo and wife Glenda. He is also survived by his sisters Rebecca Mc-Guire of Marathon, Texas, Elvira Villanueva of Odessa, Texas, and Elisa Melendez of Alpine; his brother Ben Rojo and wife Corina of Ft. Stockton, Texas; his brother in-law Bill Hartnett and wife Elodia, of Pecos, Texas; his grandchildren Christy Rojo Zunker and husband Rusty, Danny Rojo and wife Michelle, Benita Razo, and husband Jon, Ronnie Rojo and wife Gabby, Adolfo “Jr.” Razo, Ricky Rojo, Sandra Renteria and husband Juan, and Jaime Rojo and wife Ashley; 17 great-grandchildren; two great-great grandsons; and numerous loving nieces and nephews.

The Holy Rosary was recited by Father Matta on Oct. 26, 2021, at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Alpine. Funeral Mass under the direction of Alpine Memorial Funeral was held following the rosary with Fr. Matta as the celebrant. He was buried with military honors at Holy Angels Cemetery.

Serving as pallbearers were grandsons Danny Rojo, Ronnie Rojo, Adolfo “Jr.” Razo, Ricky Rojo, Jaime Rojo, Daniel Brian Rojo, Noah Zunker, and Derek Rojo. Honorary pallbearers were Jerram Rojo, Eli Zunker, Devon Rojo, and Gabriel Muniz.

The family would like to extend their sincere thanks to the doctors, nurses, and staff at Big Bend Regional Medical Center for the care they provided. They would also like to thank all the family and friends who have shown their love and support during this difficult time. May God bless you always.