Alfredo Moreno, Jr.

Alfredo (Fred) A. Moreno, Jr., RPh, was called home by the Lord on February 23, 2015, at 95 years of age. He was surrounded by his family. Alfredo was the oldest son of Alfredo B. Moreno, Sr. and Ramona A. Moreno. He was born in Beeville, TX, where he lived most of his life. Alfredo attended and graduated Valedictorian from Westside High School in 1936. Upon graduation from high school he attended Baylor University as a freshman on an academic scholarship. The following year Alfredo transferred to the University of Texas at Austin where he enrolled in the College of Pharmacy. In 1940 he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy with honors. Alfredo was twenty years of age at graduation and considered a minor, by the Attorney General of the State of Texas, which caused him to wait until his twenty-first birthday to be licensed a Registered Pharmacist. He was a devoted Texas Longhorn. During World War II Fred served as a Technical Sergeant with the 984th Medical Hospital Ship Platoon as a pharmacist. He served in the European, Asiatic, and Pacific Theater of Operations. Alfredo owned and operated Moreno's Pharmacy in Beeville from 1946-1991. The business was sold to HEB Food Stores in 1991 and Fred was employed by them as a Pharmacist. During his professional career he practiced Pharmacy in the Texas communities of Kenedy, Beeville, and San Antonio. In September 2012, he completed seventy-two (72) continuous, uninterrupted, years practicing pharmacy. The Texas Pharmacy Association certified Moreno as the oldest and longest active pharmacist in the State of Texas. He received congratulations from President Barack Obama and wife Michelle, Congressman Lamar Smith, Governor Rick Perry, and San Antonio Mayor Julián Castro and the city council. In addition, he received a proclamation from the Texas Senate that was presented to Moreno by the Texas Pharmacy Association commemorating his length of service and dedication to the pharmacy profession. The School of Pharmacy at the University of Texas presented him a wooden mortar and pestle that was commission by the College of Pharmacy by a professional sculpture. Baseball was Fred's favorite sport. He played first base with teams in the military, Kenedy, and Beeville. Major league player Chuck Diering had the St. Louis Cardinals offer Moreno a baseball contract. Fred served the community as a Pharmacist, businessman, and civic leader. He served in such organizations as the City Planning Commission, Navy League, Red Cross, Salvation Army, Rotary Club, Kiwanis Club, Community Council of Beeville, University of Texas Ex-Students' Association, Mid-Coastal Pharmaceutical Association, Texas Pharmaceutical Association, and National Association of Retail Druggists. In 1956, Fred was elected to the Beeville Independent School District Board of Trustees where he served for fifteen consecutive years until 1971. In November 3, 1985, the Beeville ISD honored him with the naming of Jackson School in his honor. The campus closed in1993 and on February 27, 1994, the name was transferred to the newly constructed Alfredo A. Moreno, Jr., Junior High School. Fred and Reyes Carranco Moreno were happily married for 50 years. Alfredo was preceded in death by his parents, wife Reyes Carranco Moreno, and only brother Reynaldo Amado Moreno, RPh. Fred has two sons Alfredo A. Moreno III, MEd (Helen) - children Alfredo IV (Sandra), Jaime (Rosalba), and Lorenzo (Veronica). Mother of Alfredo IV's children is Daughter-in-Law Edith Gutierrez Moreno. Philip James Moreno, RPh (Viola) - children Anna Lisa and Jimmy. Peepaw, as he was affectionately known by his family, is blessed with three great-granddaughters - Diana, Mariana, and Jamie Rose and one great-grandson Lorenzo. He was a great conversationalist and would strike up a conversation with anyone. Alfredo enjoyed his retirement listening to big band music of the past, surfing on his computer, and participating in veteran activities. He loved and was very proud of his family. They were always on his mind and he was greatly loved by all family members. He made friends where ever he was. Moreno cared very much for the people of his community; he was a humanitarian. The newspaper once wrote an article with the title "The Most-Trusted Man in Town." He will be dearly missed as he was an example for everyone. Visitation will be held at 9 a.m Saturday, February 28, 2015 at St Joseph Catholic Church with a rosary to be recited at 10 a.m. A funeral Mass to honor Mr. Moreno's life will follow 11 a.m also at St Joseph Catholic Church. Interment will be at Beeville Memorial Park with Military Honors.