Former Carrizo Springs Mayor and City Attorney Rufino Cabello Passes Away

By: Ricardo E. Calderon, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc., Copyright 2018

Former City of Carrizo Springs, Texas Mayor and City Attorney Rufino Cabello peacefully passed away at the age of 89 in San Antonio, Texas surrounded by his wife, Carlota Aldape Cabello, and family on Saturday, February 24, 2018. Cabello rose from humble beginnings to become a pioneer attorney in the State of Texas, particularly in South Texas, becoming one of the first Mexican-American attorney in the state. Growing up in Laredo, Texas, Rufino Cabello learned the valuable characteristics of hard work, dedication, and service in the cotton fields of Texas, installing masonry tile, and working in the family grocery store.  Rufino Cabello was one of eight children born to Cruz and Consuelo Cabello in Laredo, Texas. He was born on April 4, 1928 in Laredo.

Rufino Cabello graduated from Martin High School in Laredo, Texas and after graduating went on to serve in the United States Army. After completing his requirements at the University of Texas at Austin, Cabello transferred to St. Mary’s University School of Law in San Antonio, Texas, graduating with a Juris Doctor degree in 1967. He went on to become licensed as an Attorney and Counselor at Law in the State of Texas and in all federal district courts in Texas, including the United States Supreme Court.

Rufino Cabello married his lovely wife, Carlota Aldape Cabello, in 1954 and recently celebrated their sixty-third wedding anniversary. He is survived by his wife, Carlota, and his five children, Sandra Little (Robby), Alma Alonzo (Gary), Judy Hibri (Nadi), James Cabello (Cynthia), Jo Ann Garza (Eddie), 14 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren, a brother, Hector Cabello, and a sister, Alicia Cabello Porter. 

In 1961, the need for a Spanish speaking attorney in Southwest Texas, particularly in Carrizo Springs, Texas, led Rufino Cabello and his family to move to Carrizo Springs to practice law serving the Middle Rio Grande region in Texas.  He and his wife, Carlota, raised their young family in Carrizo Springs while practicing law and becoming a community public servant. The community of Carrizo Springs and Dimmit County, Texas embraced Rufino Cabello and his family and patronized his legal talent as a fierce and zealous advocate, particularly for the most needy and underrepresented clients.  

Rufino Cabello’s family stated he loved his beautiful family, talking politics, going to the Casino, working at his ranch, and playing dominoes.  However, his greatest passion was his practice of law and representing clients for over 61 years.  He believed that “every person deserved to be heard and represented by legal counsel,” representing clients from Carrizo Springs to Vietnam. He developed a reputation among judges, attorneys, clients, court personnel, and law enforcement as an outstanding attorney and advocate. His work ethic entailed working seven days a week and traveling wherever his clients demanded his services, placing over 500,000 miles on his faithful Toyota 4-Runner.

Rufino Cabello also was strongly committed to public service and providing access to higher education to children of Carrizo Springs and South Texas.  He entered public service being elected as a City Councilman and later as Mayor of the City of Carrizo Springs, Texas during the 1970s. Later he went on to become City Attorney for Carrizo Springs for over 27 years.  He was instrumental in obtaining bus transportation for Carrizo Springs students to attend Southwest Texas Junior College in Uvalde, Texas. He sponsored a college scholarship to a local high school senior annually to encourage students to attend and afford college.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Mission Park Funeral Chapels South in San Antonio, Texas.  Visitation will be held on Wednesday, February 28, 2018 from 6 P.M. to 9 P.M. with a Rosary to be recited at 7 P.M. at Mission Park Funeral Chapels South, located at 1700 S.E. Military Drive, San Antonio, Texas 78214. Funeral procession will depart the funeral home at 8:30 A.M. for a 9 A.M. funeral mass at Holy Name Catholic Church on Thursday, March 1, 2018. Internment to follow at Mission Burial Park South in San Antonio, Texas.

Rufino Cabello will greatly be missed by his family, friends, colleagues, clients, and community.