Edward Luna

Edward Lourdes Luna, 78, of Troy, died on June 15, 2015, at a local care center. Services will be at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, June 19, 2015, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Temple, Texas. Interment will follow at Oenaville Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday, June 18th from 5 to 8 p.m. with Rosary recited at 7 p.m. at Harper-Talasek Funeral Home Chapel.

Mr. Luna was born in Temple to Tiburcio and Calletana Garcia Luna in 1937. He grew up in Temple, attended Temple High School (THS) where he lettered in football, baseball and basketball, and graduated in 1955. He then attended Temple Junior College for 1-1/2 years. At the age of 14 he began working for Scanio Produce and continued this part-time through high school. Ed married Patsy Vaden Ewing in 1956. He then worked for Montgomery Ward as the delivery supervisor, continuing in that position for 38 years. He always enjoyed traveling and working in the yard, especially tending his zinnias and roses. He was a faithful member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church.

Ed and his eight siblings were all born in their home on South 16th Street Alley in East Temple. He was an outstanding advocate for Hispanic recognition in the community, and was successful in requesting the Temple City Council to authorize completion of some of his requests. They changed the name of South 16th Street Alley to "Luna Lane" in 2006, in honor of his family. They also authorized construction of the "Hispanic Heritage Bridge" from Luna Lane across Knob Creek to access Jeff Hamilton Park. A plaque there lists the names of Hispanics who lived in the area and worked for the MKT Railroad. With assistance of Temple Parks and Leisure Services, a local park was named "Doctor's Park" in honor of two outstanding Hispanic physicians, Doctors Joseph Rodarte and Jesse Ibarra, of Scott & White. He lobbied the Temple Independent School Board to name one of Temple's new elementary schools in honor of Hector P. Garcia, M.D., a prominent Texas physician and avid veterans' advocate. He then started a quest to have pioneer Hispanic workers for the Santa Fe Railroad recognized and a plaque listing their names was erected at the Santa Fe Depot. He was most proud of working with the Temple Independent School Board and Superintendent, Doctor Robin Battershall, to have a mariachi program established this school year for THS musicians to compete in University Interscholastic League competition.

Edward was preceded in death by his parents, brother Jesse Luna, and two sisters:Adela Garcia and Rosalinda Matamoros. He is survived by his wife of 58 years; two sons, David Luna (Lesa West), Edward E. Luna (Peggy), and one daughter, Catherine Luna (Tony Bassa); brother, Robert Luna (Pam) and three sisters, Mary Ellen Monroy (Robert), Ermalinda Guillen and Gloria Guillen (Lee); eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorials be made to Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church.


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Visitation

HarperTalasek Funeral Home
500 W. Barton Ave.
Temple, TX  76501
Thursday, June 18, 2015
5 - 8 PM Rosary recited at 7

Service

Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church
707 E. 6th Street
Temple, TX  76501
Friday, June 19, 2015
10:00 AM

Cemetery

Oenaville Cemetery
8663 Oenaville Loop
Temple, TX  76501

Memorial Contributions

707 South 6th Street
Temple, TX  76504