Previous Services

Visitation: 12:00 p.m.

Chapel: 1:30 p.m.

Houston National Cemetery: 2:30 p.m. (In Procession)

Military Honors Presented By:

United States Army

Houston Honor Guard

Houston National Cemetery

10410 Veterans Memorial Dr.

Houston, TX 77038

Meet in Lane #2 @ 10:15 a.m. (Not before 10:00  a.m.)

Military Honors Presented By:

United States Navy

Houston Honor Guard

Gather: 11:30 a.m.

Chapel: 12:30 p.m.

Houston National Cemetery: 1:45 p.m. (In Procession)

Military Honors Presented By:

United States Army

Visitation: 11:30 a.m.

Prayer: 12:00 p.m.

Houston National Cemetery: 12:45 p.m. (In Procession)

Military Honors Presented By:

United States Army

Houston Honor Guard

Gather: 12:00 p.m.

Chapel: 12:30 p.m.

Houston National Cemetery: 1:45 p.m. (In Procession)

Military Honors Presented By:

United States Army

Houston Honor Guard

Chapel: 10:00 a.m.

Houston National Cemetery: 11:30 a.m. 

Military Honors Presented By:

United States Army

Houston Honor Guard

Chester Lee Couch Jr., lovingly called “Buster” as a boy by his family and “Papa” by his grandchildren, passed away peacefully on July 7, 2025, with the love of his family surrounding him, just shy of his 83rd birthday.

Born on July 25, 1942, Chester was the son of the late Chester Lee Couch Sr. and Geneva Woods. He was lovingly raised by his grandparents, Mary Couch - affectionately known as “Ganky”- and  Albert R. Couch , who instilled in him the values of hard work, kindness, and devotion to family.

Chester had a zest for life and a lifelong love of engines, wheels, and speed. In his younger years, he raced cars during the early days of drag racing and remained passionate about racing throughout his life. He especially loved classic cars - restoring them, talking about them, and attending car shows with friends and family. Whether he was at the racetrack or admiring a vintage engine under the hood, Chester lit up with enthusiasm and knowledge.

After proudly serving his country in the United States Army, Chester dedicated more than 50 years to his work as a mechanical engineer, where his brilliance and tireless work ethic left a lasting mark.

Chester had a rare gift for storytelling - his family will always remember how he could bring a room to life with his vivid memories, humor, and wisdom. He loved being near the water and felt most at peace boating on the lake or sitting by the shore. More than anything, Chester treasured his family. He never missed an important moment, offering constant love, guidance, and support.

Chester is survived by his devoted wife, Ginger Couch, children Danielle Couch Burr (Trevor) and Gary Couch (Stina) and step-children Darin Roberts (Jamie) and Shannan Hamlin (Tim). He is also survived by Veda Couch, mother of their children, Chad and Danielle, sisters, Carolyn Couch, Joyce McKee (Jim), Kindra Gensheimer (Jimmy), brother, Charlie Harrison (Jeanett) and thirteen loving nieces and nephews. He deeply loved his grandchildren, Penny Wooley, Caleb Couch, Logan Couch, Gary Couch Jr., Shane Couch, Ashley Hamlin, Lilah Burr and Evelyn Burr.  He leaves behind seven great-grandchildren, with one more on the way, as well as many loving cousins and extended family who will miss him deeply.

Chester was preceded in death by his cherished son, Chad Lee Couch, his parents and grandparents, and his granddaughter, Latrisha Culp.

A Celebration of Life will be held on:

Thursday, July 24, 2025

10:00 AM – Veterans Funeral Services

10567 Veterans Memorial Dr., Houston, TX 77038

Burial Ceremony with Military Honors:

11:30 AM – Houston National Cemetery

10410 Veterans Memorial Dr., Houston, TX 77038

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Chester’s honor to a veterans’ organization, engineering scholarship fund, or another meaningful cause of your choosing.

Though our hearts are heavy, we take comfort in knowing Buster’s legacy of love, laughter, and devotion will live on in every life he touched. His stories will echo for generations, and his steady presence will be missed beyond measure.

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

— 2 Timothy 4:7

Houston National Cemetery

10410 Veterans Memorial Dr.

Houston, TX 77038

Meet in Lane #1 @ 11:30 a.m. (Not before 11:15  a.m.)

Military Honors Presented By:

United States Marine Corps

Houston Honor Guard

Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery

1520 Harry Wurzbach Rd

San Antonio, TX 78209

Meet @ 11:30 a.m.

Houston National Cemetery

10410 Veterans Memorial Dr.

Houston, TX 77038

Meet in Lane #1 @ 9:30 a.m. (Not before 9:15  a.m.)

Military Honors Presented By:

United States Navy

Kinsmen Lutheran Church

12100 Champions Forest Ln

Houston, TX 77066

Visitation:  10:15 a.m.

Church Service: 11:00 a.m.

Reception: 12:00 p.m.

Houston National Cemetery: 2:00 p.m. (In procession)

Olympia Chapa Gray, 92, died on August 5, 2025. She was born in Mission, Texas on June 8, 1933 to Herminia Guzman and Juan Chapa.

Oly was a strong, determined, independent woman. She loved her family. Holidays, family gatherings, special events were very important to her. She was blessed to have grandchildren and great grandchildren around her throughout her life.

There were many special memories with Reign and River who loved to visit their great grandmother. They would read and sing to her. Eva too spent time with great Grandma Oly playing bingo, combing her hair, and painting many pictures for her.

Oly is survived by her daughters, sons, daughter in laws, son in laws, numerous grandchildren, numerous great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Family and friends are welcomed to join us in celebrating Oly's life on August 13 at Kinsmen Lutheran Church, 12100 Champions Forest Drive, Houston, Texas. Visitation will be from 10-10:45am and a celebration of life service will begin at 11am. The family invites everyone to a reception after the service at Kinsmen Lutheran Church. Following the reception the burial will be at the Houston VA National Cemetery, 10410 Veterans Memorial Drive, Houston Texas.

Donations in memory of Oly can be made to 

Alzheimer's Association

www.alz.org

Kinsmen Lutheran Church

www.kinsmenlutheran.org

Visitation:  11:30 a.m.

Chapel Service: 1:00 p.m.

Houston National Cemetery: 2:15 p.m. (In Procession)

Military Honors Presented by:

United States Army

Houston Honor Guard

Houston National Cemetery

10410 Veterans Memorial Dr.

Houston, TX 77038

Meet in Lane #2 @ 10:15 a.m. (Not before 10:00 a.m.)

Visitation: 11:30 a.m.

Chapel: 1:00 p.m.

Houston National Cemetery: 2:15 p.m.  (In Procession)

Military Honors Presented By:

United States Navy

Houston Honor Guard

Visitation: 11:00 a.m.

Chapel: 12:30 p.m.

Houston National Cemetery: 1:45 p.m.  (In Procession)

Military Honors Presented By:

United States Army

Luis Rafael Cruz Santiago, 74, passed away peacefully in Conroe Texas on August 16, 2025, surrounded by his loving children and grandchildren. Born on August 30, 1950, in Aibonito, Puerto Rico, he was the firstborn of Rafael Cruz and Zoraida Santiago and the cherished eldest brother of five siblings.

From a young age, Luis displayed a strong sense of duty and leadership, traits that guided him into a 20-year career in the United States Army. He enlisted shortly after graduating high school and proudly served until his retirement in 1993. During his service, Luis  was a drill sergeant, shaping the lives and careers of new recruits with his characteristic discipline and supportive guidance.

After retiring from military service, Luis continued to inspire younger generations by teaching Junior ROTC programs in high schools across Puerto Rico and New York. His commitment to mentoring students was evident in the pride he took as he watched them develop discipline and leadership skills. Later, drawn by new opportunities, he relocated to Texas and joined Wells Fargo as a Mortgage Specialist, where he helped families achieve their dreams of homeownership.

Luis’s passions extended beyond his professional life. He had a lifelong love for cars and took great pleasure in searching for and adding different dream cars to his personal collection. He also enjoyed building and tinkering with computers, finding joy in learning about new technologies and assembling systems from the ground up. These hobbies reflected his curiosity and zest for understanding how things work.

He is survived by his six beloved children: Francisco Rafael Cruz, SueAnn Cruz, JamieAnn Cruz, Gabriel Rafael Cruz, Luis Rafael Cruz II, and Cahil Rafael Cruz. To them, he leaves a legacy of resilience, love, and steadfast dedication to family. Luis’s memory will continue to live on in the hearts of his children, extended family, and all who were touched by his kindness and guidance.

Luis Rafael Cruz Santiago’s life reminds us of the strength of service, the importance of family, and the joy of pursuing our dreams. He will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

Houston National Cemetery

10410 Veterans Memorial Dr. 

Houston, TX 77038

Meet in Lane 1 @ 10:30 a.m.  (not before 10:15 a.m. )  

Military Honors Presented By:

United States Army

Houston National Cemetery

10410 Veterans Memorial Dr. 

Houston, TX 77038

Meet in Lane 1 @ 10:30 a.m.  (not before 10:15 a.m. )  

Military Honors Presented By:

United States Air Force

Houston Honor Guard

Gather: 11:30 a.m.

Chapel: 12:00 p.m.

Houston National Cemetery: 1:00 p.m.  (In Procession)

Memorial contributions may be made to Breakthrough T1D, an organization designed to educate & assist those with Type 1 diabetes. https://www.breakthrought1d.org/