Raul Cuellar Arana

Raul Cuellar Arana, 50 years old, passed away Friday, December 23, 2011, in Crane. "RC" was born April 16, 1961, in McCamey, Texas, to Joe Morales and Mary Cuellar Arana. Raul is preceded in death by his father, Mr. Joe M. Arana, his daughter, Rachel Marie Arana, his sister, Mary Margaret Arana, and his nephew, Martin Anthony Arana.
Raul was a hard-working man of many talents, and was known for being tender-hearted. He made friends easily, and possessed diplomatic skills that he applied to get people to arrive at some understanding. He enjoyed coaching his children and their baseball, soccer and football teams. Raul enjoyed the great outdoors, and took his children hunting, fishing, shooting, hiking, and rock climbing. He also had a gentle servant's heart, and helped numerous friends and relatives when they were in need: from being generous with finances to helping fix their vehicles, homes and landscaping.
Raul was nominated to the Permian Basin All-Century Football team in the 90s. He was a Badger football, track and baseball star at McCamey High School in the late 70s, and was honored with dozens of athletics awards. He pitched on a semi-professional baseball team following high school.
Raul was a veteran railroad man, having worked for the Santa Fe Railway, South Orient Railroad, Ft. Worth & Western, and other rail companies in his 28-year career. He served as railroad roadmaster, supervisor, foreman, track inspector, and other roles, and loved train travel.
He loved to bar-b-que on weekends and watch football with friends and family. Raul was a devoted fan of the Dallas Cowboys through good and bad seasons. Raul was a Coach at heart, and proudly coached his son, Thomas, through many successful athletics accomplishments throughout public school, as well as being a proud Daddy of his Princesses, daughters Esther and Rachel, and granddaughter Jozlyn. He was a proud Daddy of his son, Luke's, beginning years in a Badger football uniform, in summer baseball and in academic pursuits. He was also an avid Badgers and Lady Badgers fan, and followed the teams for years. Raul regularly encouraged his nephew, John, in football, and encouraged him to pursue a college football career, and also was inspirational in his niece, Rebekah's, athletics and academics endeavors.
He is survived by his sons, Thomas Arana, of Crane, and Luke Arana, of McCamey, his daughter, Esther Arana, of Odessa, and granddaughter, Jozlyn Arana, of Crane. Raul is also survived by his Mother, whom he adored, Mrs. Mary C. Arana, his sisters: Rose Mary Luna (Domingo), of Lockhart; Mary Martha Arana, of McCamey; Mary Lou Cherry (Alan), of Christoval; Mary Lupe Arana of Corpus Christi; and, Mary Eva Perrin (Joe), of Grandview; brothers: Joe Arana (Nelida), of Austin; Martin Arana (Betty), of Crane; Robert Arana (Dora), of San Antonio; and, Adam Arana (Tonya), of Phoenix, AZ; nieces and nephews: Roman Padilla, Nicole Padilla; Analeicia Arana; Crystal Gasdaska (David), Kloe Gasdaska; John Gabriel Arana, Kya Arana; Joshua Arana, Jaden Arana; John Arana-Cook, Rebekah Arana-Cook; Lauren Cherry, Brock Cherry; Kristen Hendricks, Lauren Katherine Arana, Robert Arana, Jr.; EJ Perrin, Jordan Perrin; Isaiah Arana, and Alex Arana.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, December 27, at Shaffer-Nichols Funeral Home of McCamey. Funeral Service will be Wednesday, December 28, at First Assembly of God Church, McCamey, at 10 a.m., with Pastor David Snodgrass officiating, and burial to follow at McCamey Cemetery. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Shaffer-Nichols Funeral Home.