Rafael Cuellar, Sr. better known by many as “Ralph,” born December 5, 1938, entered peacefully into eternal life while surrounded by loving family on February 27, 2026. He is preceded in death by his parents, Salvador and Paula Garcia Cuellar, and a brother, Ricardo Cuellar. He is survived by his faithful and loving wife of 66 years, Sylvia Flores Cuellar; children, Dr. Nori (Atzin) Mora, Lisa (Timi Dutchuk) Cuellar, Iris (Adam) Singer, and Dr. Rafael (Sylvia Quiroga) Cuellar; grandchildren, Lynn Mora Yarbrough, Atzin Mora, Jr. Victoria Cuellar (Matthew) Hernandez, Alexandra Singer (David) Golembiewski, Samantha Singer (Drew) Dawson, Jade Singer, and Kyle Prince; great-grandchildren, Lyza Nichole Mora, Marcus Yarbrough, Andrew Yarbrough, Gemma Rose Hernandez, and Cameron Michael Hernandez; sister, Tina (Pedro) Garcia; and in-laws, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Ralph’s education began at Nayer Elementary School through his senior year at William Adams High School and attended Bee County College for Microsoft Computer Skills. He provided for his family as a carpenter early in his twenties with Mullen Lumber Company building cabinets. He became a wood craftsman. He worked in Corpus Christi with the Carpenters Union. He was also a civic-minded individual giving of his time to the National Guard for 6 years. He and his wife Sylvia then decided to create a custom-home building contracting company and named it RC Building Contractor, in which he built and remodeled over 300 homes in South Texas from 1973 retiring in 2010. He continued to remodel and improve their own home as well as his children’s homes until he was 81.

One of Ralph’s greatest accomplishments was becoming a Grand Knight for the Knights of Columbus for St. Joseph’s Church. He also enjoyed being a Eucharistic Minister to help provide the Body of Christ to parishioners. He enjoyed the fraternity with his brother knights and families. Ralph coached Little League for his son’s team and listened to many solo “practice home concerts” when the girls learned how to play the flute or oboe. He also loved to travel around Texas watching Lisa win AHS golf tournaments. Happiest moments for Ralph seemed to be simple times visiting with his great-grandchildren of lately, putting such a big smile on his face. As a humble man, Ralph enjoyed being “Grandpa Ralph.” He loved playing board games and working on Sudoku and building puzzles to frame around the home. Earlier, he learned how to macrame and created many baskets he would gift and use at home.

Ralph was a dedicated family man who loved adventures, especially taking vacations with his loved ones and traveled all over the world in the U.S. from Alaska to New York, Canada, Mexico, Italy, Spain, Dominican Republic, and the Bahamas. Ralph was called “cuzco” because he was naturally curious as to how things work…so much so that in his 60’s with new technological advances, he learned on his own with help from his daughter, Lisa, the computer program “Auto-Cad” for drafting home plans at which he could rival 25-year-olds! He would also push any button he could on his new building tool gadgets and any new and technical innovation. His dancing also rivaled the young couples, and they would dance all night. Music was central to his being even at work as he would tune in to the Spanish radio all day.

Ralph’s family will receive condolences on Monday, March 2, 2026, from 4:00 PM until 8:30 PM at Treviño Funeral Home Alice, 120 E. Front St., with the Holy Rosary to be recited at 7:00 PM. On Tuesday, March 3, 2026, a funeral cortege will depart the funeral home at 9:30 AM to St. Joseph Catholic Church to celebrate Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 AM. Rite of Committal and Interment will follow at Alice Cemetery where Ralph will be laid to rest in the Peace of Christ.

Honoring Ralph as Pall Bearers are Atzin Mora, Adam Singer, Drew Dawson, David Golembwieski, Atzin Mora, Jr. Matt Hernandez, Marcus Allen Yarbrough, and Andrew Nicholas Yarbrough

Offertory Members are Lynn Mora Yarbrough, Victoria Cuellar Hernandez, Alexandra Rose Singer Golembiewski, Samantha Singer Dawson and Erika Jade Singer.

To leave your condolences for the family of Rafael “Ralph” Cuellar, Sr., share your memories, or visit her tribute wall, please go to www.trevinofuneralhome.net.