Spec. Armando Aguilar, Jr., 26, passed away August 21, 2010.

He was born April 30, 1984 in Bay City, Texas to Armando Aguilar, Sr. and Amelia Galvan Aguilar. He graduated in 2003 from Parkview Baptist in Houston.

Spec. Armando Aguilar Jr. joined the military in October 2007 as a combat engineer and was assigned to 87th Sapper Company, 8th Engineer Battalion, 36th Engineer Brigade, since February 2008.

Armando Aguilar Jr. deployed to Iraq from April 2008 to July 2009.

Armando Aguilar Jr’s. awards and decorations include the Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal with one bronze star device, Iraqi Campaign Medal with combat service star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Combat Action Badge and Driver and Mechanic Badge with Driver-Wheeled Vehicles.

His paternal grandparents Pedro and Maria Aguilar preceded him in death.

Survivors include: his wife, Samantha Aguilar of Killeen; parents, Armando and Amelia Aguilar, Sr. of Blessing; maternal grandparents, Candelario and Maria Irma Galvan of Blessing; sisters, Diana Aguilar of Blessing and Melissa Aguilar of Tres Palacios; brother, Adam Aguilar; niece, Ava Jade Stokes; nephew, Julien Ayala and a number of aunts, uncles, cousins and many friends.

A rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. Saturday, August 28, 2010 at Taylor Bros. Funeral Home.

Mass will be at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, August 29, 2010 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church with the Rev. Gerry Cernoch officiating.

Interment with full military honors will follow at St. Peter’s Catholic Cemetery in Blessing.

Pallbearers will be Fernando Aguilar, Jr., Juan Andres Aguilar, Joe Luis Galvan, Jon-Eric Lopez, Chris Hammonds, Jr. and Gabriel Medina.

Honorary pallbearers will be Adam Aguilar, Gus Ayala, Clifton “Pogie” Stokes, Jr. and David Galvan.

Online condolences may be shared with the family by visiting www.taylorbros.net.

Arrangements are with Taylor Bros. Funeral Home in Bay City. 979-245-4613.

Bay City Tribune, Published August 29, 2010