Olga Vela

Olga Elda Laurel Vela, a loving and caring mother, grandmother, wife, and sister was born to Maria Valdez Laurel and Amadeo Carlos Laurel in Hebbronville, Texas on 20 January 1936. She entered into eternal rest on 15 April 2014 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She was preceded in death by the love of her life, her husband, Refugio (Cuco) Vela, Jr. of Laredo, Texas, her parents, Amadeo Carlos and Maria Valdez Laurel. Also her beloved maternal grandparents Mariano Valdez and Justa Garza Valdez of Bruni, Texas. Her beloved paternal grandparents Victor Laurel and Herlinda Ochoa Laurel and Luz Fonseca Laurel, who were from Los Laureles Ranch, Los Ojuelos Ranch, Oilton and Laredo, Texas. Also Refugio's beloved parents, Refugio Vela Garcia, Sr. and Celia Martinez Vela, of Laredo, Texas, sisters in law, Belia Vela Ferraez and Magdalena Vela Gonzalez. Also Olga's sister-in-law, Aurora Pena Laurel. Olga is survived by her three proud and adored children Ronald Eugene Vela, Fran Celia Vela (Dr. Terrance) (known to all as " Tiger") McDermott and Richard Edward Vela. Also her wonderful and loving, only granddaughter, Erin Elizabeth McDermott. Her three brothers, Amadeo Mario Laurel, Roberto Rudy (Emily Turner) Laurel, Victor Homero (Patrecia Pierce) Laurel; one brother-in-law. Alejandro Vela (Dortha) and one surviving uncle, Jose Victor (Nancy) Laurel of Laredo, Texas. She will be dearly missed by all her family, numerous loving cousins, nieces, nephews and her friends. At an early age her family moved to Laredo, Texas, where they lived and she attended elementary schools and graduated from Martin High School in 1954. Later she attended Laredo Junior College. In Laredo she worked for two law firms and then for Johnson-Campbell Buick Co. "Cuco" and Olga married in 1959 and on that day they headed to Oklahoma City where "Cuco" had been working and his job was waiting, working for Oklahoma Banana Distributing Company Inc. and then owning it until he retired. Their youngest son, Edward and their only daughter Fran Vela McDermott successfully run the business to this date. Olga was an active member of The Oklahoma-Mexico Partners of the Americas for several years and served on its board. It is a chapter of the National Association, and is a non-political, non-profit organization that reaches out to people from both halves of the hemisphere. Their goal is to build friendship and understanding between the Americas. "Cuco" and Olga loved traveling and enjoyed several trips to Puebla, one of the Oklahoma Partners in Mexico. They traveled extensively in the United States, Mexico, Canada and Europe, and loved cruises. Olga retired from Integris Baptist Medical Center after almost twenty years of service, eleven as Payroll Supervisor and the last years as Accounts Payable Manager. Olga and her family are active members of Christ the King Catholic Church and previously of St. Eugene Catholic Church. The family suggests donations may be made, in lieu of flowers, in her memory, to Christ the King Catholic School (Bridge to Greystone Fund), 8005 Dorset Drive, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73120. A private family interment will be held at a later date.