Mario Alvarado

After a brave battle with cancer, Mario Alvarado passed away peacefully on June 5, 2010, with his close family by his side. His doctor and staff at M.D. Anderson considered Mario’s determination and will to defeat his disease for the past five years amazing.
The memorial service celebrating Mario’s life will be at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 8, at First Presbyterian Church, Waco, Texas, with Rev. Jimmie Johnson officiating. Visitation will be held at Grace Gardens Funeral Home on Monday, June 7, from 5 – 7.
Mario Was born in Odessa, Texas to Fred and Aurora Alvarado. The second of four boys, Mario graduated from Odessa High School in 1979. He attended Northwestern Oklahoma on a baseball scholarship and graduated in 1983. He met his wife, Marsha, at the baseball park in Odessa, and they were married in 1984. Since then, they moved to Waco and made their home and raised their children here. His loyalty and devotion to family and friends was deep and constant. For the last 24 years, Mario worked as a salesman and later manager for Glazer’s Wholesale; he considered himself lucky to have a great job with great co-workers and great employers. In addition to family and work, he loved sports and the outdoors. He looked forward to spring and being outdoors. Mario was rare in that he love to mow his and other’s yards.
Mario’s personal faith and commitment to God gave him the strength to fight his cancer and serve as an example to others. He was a member of first Presbyterian Church in Waco.
Mario was preceded in death by his grandparents.
Mario has a large and loving family who will cherish his memory. Survivors include his wife of 26 years, Marsha Foote Alvarado; daughter, Amanda Alvarado, and stepson Jordan Goates; his parents, Fred and Aurora Alvarado of Odessa; brothers Joe and wife Regina of Odessa, Leroy and wife Sarah of Midland, and Freddy and wife Beth of Yukon, Oklahoma. In addition, he is survived by his mother-in-law, Cherry Wilhelm of Gatesville, brothers-in-law Rev Ted Foote, Jr. and wife Joanie of Bryan and J. Bryan Foote and wife Gina of Las Cruces, NM, as well as many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles.
Mario and his family would like to thank Dr. Donny Stewart, everyone at Glazer’s Wholesale, his oncologist Dr. Wolff, the staff at M.D. Anderson, and the faculty of Midway High School for their support especially in the last six months.

Memorials may be made to:

MD Anderson Cancer Center
1515 Holcombe Blvd
Houston, TX 77030
or
American Cancer Society
1700 Lake Success Drive
Waco, TX 76710