Candelario Zuniga

Candelario Zuniga, 97 of Lubbock passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by his family, On February 24, 2026. He was born on February 2, 1929, in Taft, Texas to Zenon and Valeria (Rodriguez) Zuniga. Candelario married Rufina Gonzalez on April 19, 1953, in McAllen, Texas, together they cherished 72 years of marriage. He retired from Texas Tech Grounds Maintenance in 1991.

Candelario was a devout catholic and Cursillsta. He will always be remembered as a strong man of Faith always praying for his family and those in need and sharing his love with his children and grandchildren.

He loved spending time with his family getting together to have cookouts, playing a game of dominos, and playing bingo in his younger days. He enjoyed playing baseball and grew to love watching it on TV as well. After retiring he spent most of his time outdoors where he enjoyed gardening, auto mechanics, and carpentry work. He will be remembered as a man of many trades.

Those left to cherish his memory are his children, Arturo (Linda) Zuniga, Juanita (Ricardo) Olivarez, Andres Zuniga, Jose (Sylvia) Zuniga, Pedro (Amy) Zuniga, Ricardo (Yolanda) Zuniga, Elida (Hector) Martinez, Vickie (Emanuel) Cantu, Gilberto Zuniga, and Gloria (Ernest) Gaytan; 19 grandchildren, 31 great grandchildren and 2 great- great grandchildren, and several extended family members.

Candelario was preceded in death by his wife, his parents, a son, Victor Zuniga; grandchildren, Adam Zuniga, Thomas Zuniga, Timothy Zuniga, and Julian Gaytan; brothers, Hipolito Zuniga, Sr. and Merdardo Zuniga; and sister Cleofas Alvarado

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, from 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. with rosary being recited at 6:00 p.m. at House of Angels Funeral Home Chapel, 1928 34th Street, Lubbock, Texas. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, 1120 52nd street, Lubbock, Texas, with Fr. Jose De Dios Gonzalez officiating. Burial will follow at Peaceful Gardens Memorial Park, Woodrow, Texas. Those serving as pallbearers are Anthony Zuniga, Chris Zuniga, Israel Olivarez, Emanuel Cantu, III, Joseph Gaytan, Matthew Alonzo, and Mickey Cantu.

The Zuniga family would like to send a heartfelt thank you to Hospice of Lubbock, and his nurse, Peggy for the support and care they provided for our father. We would like to also thank all of you who have sent your heartfelt condolences and prayers, they are greatly appreciated.