Father Armando P. Ibáñez, O.P., a devoted servant of God entered eternal life on December 22, 2025, in McAllen, Texas, at the age of 76. He was born in San Diego, Texas, on June 26, 1949, and the family later moved to Alice, Texas. Father Ibáñez exemplified a life dedicated to spiritual guidance and cultural enrichment, leaving an indelible mark on all those who were blessed to have known him and love him.

Father Ibáñez attended the Dominican School of Philosophy & Theology, where he received his Master of Divinity before he was Ordained Priest into the order of the Southern Dominican Province on December 11, 1993, at St. Francis De Paula Catholic Church in San Diego, TX; he embraced his vocation with fervor and grace. His journey as a Roman Catholic Dominican Priest was to preach the Gospel and nurture God’s people, to know, to serve and to love God. Father Ibáñez lived his faith through his actions and his deeds, radiating God’s unconditional love with compassion, kindness, wisdom, and trust in God’s Living Word.

Father Ibáñez started his education in the Alice Independent School District at Nayer Elementary School and graduated from William Adams High School, Class of 1968. He furthered his academic pursuits attending Texas A&I College, the University of Houston, the University of Texas, and the American Film Institute in California. He was a Priest, Chaplin, Parochial Vicar, Vicar of Hispanic Ministry, Director of Parish Ministries, Producer-Director-Writer, Story & Theological Consultant -Writer, Journalist, College Professor of Mass Communication and Film/broadcasting, Instructor of Scriptwriting & Electronic Media & Creative Writing, a Publisher, a Poet, and a Short Story Writer. He received numerous awards, including Awards for Excellence in Art, Screenplay Production Awards, Sweepstakes Awards in Writing Competitions, and more, reflecting a multifaceted personality that embraced both artistic and spiritual dimensions.

Father Ibáñez currently resided in Edinburg, Texas, in the Catholic Dioceses of Brownsville, Texas, where he assisted in the Sunday Liturgy -Mass Celebration, when needed. In May of 2025, Fr. Ibáñez retired as Professor of Fine Arts, Communication & Journalism Dept., at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, in Edinburg, Texas.

Father Ibáñez leaves behind his Dominican Priesthood family; his loving siblings, Irma L. Lopez, Geronimo H. Ibáñez, and Elsa I. (David) Alvarez; sister-in-law, Edna M. Ibáñez; along with numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and extended family members who all grieve his passing.

Father Ibáñez is preceded in death by his parents, Geronimo and Vicenta Ibáñez; his siblings Guillermo Norberto Ibáñez, Ricardo Ibanez, Luis "Lulo" Ibáñez, Maria Guadalupe (Hermilo) Carreno, and Sylvia (Lolo) Gonzalez, brother-in-law, Homero Lopez, and his nephew Marco Antonio Lopez, all of whom have undoubtedly welcomed him into the eternal embrace of love.

Father Ibáñez’s family will receive condolences on Thursday, January 8, 2026, from 5:00 PM until 9:00 PM, at Treviño Funeral Home Alice, 120 E. Front St.. The Holy Rosary will be recited at 7:00 PM that evening. A funeral cortege will depart the funeral home at 10:30 AM on Friday, January 9, 2026, to celebrate Mass of Christian Burial at St. Francis De Paula Catholic Church, San Diego, TX at 11:00 AM. Rite of Committal and Interment will follow at San Diego Cemetery where Father Armando P. Ibáñez, O.P., will be laid to rest in the peace of Christi.

Honoring Father Ibáñez as pallbearers will be Orlando Gonzalez, Ted Gonzalez, Jesus Rene Bernal, Javier Gonzalez, Nicolas Gonzalez, and Will Ibanez.

Father Armando P. Ibáñez 's contributions to the church, his artistic endeavors, and his familial bonds represent a life rich with purpose and devotion. His spirit will forever remain a guiding light for those he left behind, cherished in memory and celebrated in the hearts of many.

To leave your condolences to the family of Father Armando P. Ibáñez, O.P., share your memories, or visit his tribute wall, please go towww.trevinofuneralhome.net.