Hilario "Layo" Mendez, Jr., 62, of San Antonio, Texas, passed Friday, August 21, 2020. Hilario was born on September 17, 1957 in Eagle Pass, Texas. He is preceded in death by his parents Hilario V. Mendez Sr. and Elsa G. Mendez, brothers Roberto C. Mendez Sr. and Eduardo G. Mendez. He is survived by his son Richard Anthony Mendez, daughter Krystal Ann Mendez, grandson Daniel Joseph "DJ" Mendez, girlfriend Diana Arenas, sister Delia Mejia, brothers Raul Mendez, Jorge Mendez, Gilberto Mendez, Francisco O'Brien, and Jose O'Brien, nieces and nephews, Yvette Tellez, Bobby Mendez, Joey Mejia, Anthony Flores, Justin Mendez, Marisela Tejeda, Priscilla Mendez, Austin Mendez, Alec Mendez, Brittany Mendez, Raquel Mendez, Jorge Mendez Jr., Aaron Mendez, and Anissa Mendez, great nieces and great nephews, Isabella Tellez, Michael Albert Tellez, Cesar Mendez, Ethan Tellez, Alexander Falcon, Sophia Falcon, Lilliana Falcon, and Adam Ruiz.

Hilario graduated from Harlandale High School in 1976. He was a standout athlete during his time at Harlandale HS. He was the standout QB and catcher for their baseball team. He excelled well enough to play baseball at the collegiate level for the Univ. of Mary Hardin Baylor for 1 year.

Hilario began his career with the Civil Service at Kelly AFB in 1988 where he sand blasted and painted C-5 airplanes for the Air Force. After the closure of Kelly AFB, Hilario moved with his unit to Warner Robins, GA where he developed life long friendships with many people who would become like family to him. Hilario was notorious for making friends anywhere he would go. He never met a stranger and was always ready to talk about the Spurs and his time with the Spurs Organization as an usher. Hilario was always taking his kids, neices and nephews to sporting events, especially the Spurs where he would sit them courtside. Hilario is responsible for making many of his nephew\'s into diehard Spurs fans.

Layo, as he is known by everyone, was a gentle giant. He loved his son, daughter, grandson and all his brothers, sister, nieces, and nephews. Layo was also quick to handout candy and a few dollars for the ice cream man to his neices and nephews.

Layo was and still is deeply loved by his family, friends and his community. Layo was a man of faith and would always be in mass every Sunday at St. Leo the Great Catholic Church. His neice Yvette loved to see her Tio sitting up near the front every Sunday. He was easy to spot from a distance.

Layo, had 2 kids, Richard \"Richie\" and Krystal. They were the joy of his life. Layo enjoyed telling anyone, who would listen, about his kids. But then came DJ, his grandson, his Mijo. DJ brought so much joy and excitement to Layo\'s life and you can be assured the last 17 months were the best for Hilario. He loved DJ and DJ loved his grandpa. DJ is the spitting image of Layo when he was just a kid. So much so, that Krystal\'s neighbors call DJ \"Little Hilario\".

Hilario will be deeply missed by many, especially his kids, girlfriend, family and friends. There is a big void now missing in the Mendez family with Heaven's gain but it also brings us comfort knowing, "Dad", "Gampah", "Hun", "Layo", "Tio Layo" and "Hilario" is home with Jesus.

Visitation will begin on Wednesday September 2, 2020 at 5:00 pm at Alamo Funeral Chapels with a rosary to begin at 7:00 pm (Alamo Funeral Chapels 624 N Alamo St, San Antonio, TX 78215) The funeral procession will depart from Alamo Funeral Home for an 11:30am mass at St. Leo The Great Catholic Church on Thursday September 3, 2020. Burial will follow immediately after at Mission Burial Park South. Arrangements are with Mission Alamo Funeral Chapels.

Face masks and social distancing will be required if you choose to attend