Armando Navarro, Sr.

Funeral services for Pastor Armando Navarro, Sr., 65, of Lufkin will be held Friday, October 4, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. at the United Pentecostal Church Campground Tabernacle with Reverend Danny Russo and Reverend David Duran officiating. Interment will follow in the Berry Cemetery.

Pastor Navarro was born June 5, 1948 in Laredo, Texas to Arcadio and Amalia (Vargas) Navarro, and died Monday, September 30, 2013.

Armando Navarro, Sr. began his walk with the Lord in 1980. He became a licensed minister in 1988. He moved from Orange, Texas to pastor in Pharr, Texas for one year before he came to Lufkin. He served as Pastor of Rosa De Saron UPCI in Lufkin from 1990 until present.

Pastor Navarro served on the Church Board of Trustees for the First United Pentecostal Church in Orange, Texas under the pastorship of W.E. Gamblin. He served on the Board of Directors for Texas Bible College, and was elected East Texas Regional Director for the Texas District Spanish Ministries before being elected as District Secretary of Spanish Ministries. Finally, Pastor Navarro served the Texas District as Director of Spanish Ministries for the United Pentecostal Church International, overseeing more than 40 churches.

During his ministry, Pastor Navarro was integral in implementing the distance learning college degree program, EXCELL, into the Spanish Ministries.

Survivors include his wife, Alicia Riojas Navarro of Lufkin; son and daughter-in-law, Martin and Mary Navarro of Lufkin; daughter and son-in-law, Dora and Evan Epple of Richmond; son and daughter-in-law, Armando, Jr. and Jill Navarro of Lufkin; 12 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; brother, Rey Navarro of San Antonio; sisters, Emma Riojas of Orange, Virginia Almendarez of Deweyville, Amalia Elizondo of San Antonio and Maria Navarro of San Antonio; and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Jose Navarro, Juan Navarro and Jesus Navarro.

Pallbearers will be Isaul Garcia, Humberto Garcia, Jesus Jaramillo, Daniel Duran, Tim McGraw and Lee Saenz.

Honorary pallbearers will be Chris Johnson, Stephen Johnson and Rey Navarro.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Texas District UPCI Spanish Ministries, 4109 S. First Street, Lufkin, Texas 75901.

The family will welcome friends and loved ones from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Thursday evening at Carroway Funeral Home.

Memories and condolences may be added at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com.

Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.