Many people have come to appreciate the compassion that Judge Ron Rangel (Bexar County 379th District Court) has shown throughout the years, and this compassion runs in the family. Adam Rangel (Judge Rangel’s father and the family patriarch) passed away last week on May 3 at the age of 81. Adam left a legacy for his sons and the community. It was Adam that encouraged his son (Ron) to attend law school, and his other sons (Roland and Randy) to begin a joint business. His compassion was more than words and his deeds demonstrated. Adam Rangel was a businessman and a man with a big heart that would step out beyond the realm of business to help others. Mr. Rangel had a strong compassionate attitude toward faith, work, education, and giving back to his community. Adam and his wife, Frances, came from humble beginnings. This did not hinder him from pursuing various professions that spoke to his wide ranging abilities. Adam pursued accounting and kept on going even when the chips were down. Unable to find good employment in Corpus Christi, Texas, he and his wife set out for California as newlyweds in 1966, selling all of their possessions. As circumstances would have it, the car that they were traveling in would break down on the road, which left them almost penniless.
“Doing The Right Thing During Time Of Great Challenges Was Transmitted To His Entire Family”
He did not give up but became more determined. At one point he worked at the Hunt’s Ketchup factory and at the same time became an amateur boxer to secure livable wages for his family. He was always looking for a way to support his family with pride. After arriving in Oakland, California, he worked at the Post Office, and soon a son was born (Ron Rangel) in 1968. Adam Rangel was a hard worker, and often had more than one job to support his family—even three jobs at one point. This was a difficult existence but he always remained positive. For many years, Mr. Adam Rangel threw newspapers, having to wake up before 4:00 am in the morning. He would complete that work in just enough time before his shift began a few hours later at the Post Office. This would have been a heavy burden indeed, but one he accepted without hesitation. Adam’s other son, Roland, would comment, “Dad was always working a second and even a third job,” all the time while working at the post office.
Adam and his loving wife fought the battles of life and were sustained by their faith and activities in the Catholic Church. Though his mettle was sorely tested he lived a full life dedicated to his family and to the community. This positive attitude would be passed on to his sons. After Adam suffered a stroke, and was paralyzed for an extended period of time, he fought to get better with prayer and determination. His faith was sincere when he said, “I put my faith in God, and I trusted whatever the situation—paralyzed or fully recovered—God has with me.” After his recovery, Adam engaged in missionary work for the Catholic Archdiocese and began providing charitable work for those in need. His son, Judge Ron Rangel, became the man of the family during this period while he was a teenager. He would be armed with what his father had taught him which stood the test of time. Ron Rangel, following in his father’s footsteps, worked several jobs as well until becoming a lawyer. Doing the right thing during times of great challenges was transmitted to his entire family.
Adam Rangel and his sons Roland and Randy would go on to open a bail bond service, a business not generally known for compassion, but he broke that mold in a number of ways. His bail bond service was dedicated to restoring hope in families that were ravaged by poverty and COVID. Customers reported that the company would go above and beyond what was expected in a professional and compassionate way. In showing compassion for the elderly, one customer was quoted, “This place has really been a blessing to me and my dad. Everyone makes mistakes and we all could use a second chance! My dad . . . is elderly so keeping him incarcerated is a big no for me! Thank you Rangel’s bail bonds for helping me help my dad!!” There were many times when Adam would work with people who had little or no money, were impoverished and without much hope, but Adam would find ways to help the poor and the marginalized. He would work on discounts and payment plans that would work for the poor. He was very generous and supportive of community groups and nonprofits and never said no to any request for assistance.
Adam remembered going to school with no shoes, practically barefoot. With a big heart he launched an “Adam Rangel Back to School Shoe Program” in 1999 which turned into an annual event for over 20 years. His entire family was involved in this effort, buying shoes of various sizes throughout the year and then sizing up children when school was about to begin. He was quoted as saying that children should be excited about going to school and not feel alienated and ashamed because they lacked shoes. Over the course of many years the project has donated thousands of shoes to the needy on all sides of town. Visitation services for Adam Rangel will be at 5:00 pm with the Rosary beginning at 6:00 pm on May 18th at Porter Loring Mortuary, 1101 McCullough Avenue. Funeral services will be on Friday, May 19th at 11:30 am at Porter Loring. It is with sadness that we mourn his passing, but it is also with love that we remember his legacy of compassion and hard work.
