Officer Mario Hinojosa Sr. entered into eternal rest at home on Thursday, September 16, 2021 at 59 years old. He fought a mighty battle with inspiring courage. Cancer sucks.

Mario graduated from Sam Houston High School in 1981, served in the U.S. Army until 1984, joined the Police Force, attended San Antonio College and Palo Alto College for Instructor Training, and spent the past 30 years serving South San Antonio ISD. He married his true love, Sylvia, on November 30, 1986, and raised three children: Mario Jr, Jennifer, and Kimberly.

Mario was a Master Peace Officer, Field Training Officer, and Instructor. He instructed the school's D.A.R.E. and Explorer programs, and held memberships in the Texas Gang Investigators Association and CLEAT. He was awarded the Overseas Service Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, and Purple Heart, and earned the Expert Marksman and Expert Infantryman badges.

Family always came first, and we did everything together. Although dedicated to work, Mario took every opportunity he had to be with Sylvia. From lunch during their breaks at SeaWorld to going to the store or running errands, they were only apart when she was cooking in the kitchen. He loved spending time with his children: cheering on the Dallas Cowboys or the San Antonio Spurs (but only during Playoffs), playing video games (usually Tomb Raider), being captured in endless photo shoots with funny filters, catching episodes of COPS or LIVE PD and binge-watching shows (usually Marvel/DC Comics/StarWars) even going so far as to find all of the Battlestar Galactica series and any of its movies. He was always there when we needed him to help or support us.

Every life Mario touched was changed for the better. He knew everyone and sparked many to take a better path in life, either by showing them the good in themselves or giving them a swift kick when they needed it most. He was a safe and stable place for students to learn right from wrong without judgment or condemnation, having everyone's back, helping them out of whatever trouble they got into, and seeing potential where others did not. He was authentic and genuine and infected everyone with his smile. His good mood and positive attitude saw through the mistakes and into the heart of each person.

Mario is survived by: the love of his life, his wife of 35 years, Sylvia; his three children, Mario Jr, Jennifer, and Kimberly; four grandchildren, Marcus, Jamie, Charlie, and one on the way; brothers, Jesse, Joe, and Gilbert "Junior"; sisters, Elvita, Maria, Anita, and Diana; in-laws, Eddie, Roland, and Eva; best friends Otto "Peanut" and wife Bertha; and numerous nephews, nieces, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, Gilberto and Alicia Hinojosa, brother Angel, brothers-in-law George and Gilbert, and mother-in-law Andrea Esquivel.

A visitation will be held at Castillo Mission Funeral Home on Tuesday, October 5, 2021 from 3:30 PM to 8:00 PM; the Rosary will begin at 6:00 PM. A procession from the funeral home to San Juan De Los Lagos Parish and Shrine will be at 9:00 AM on Wednesday, October 6, 2021; the Funeral Mass will be from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM preceded by the internment at Fort Sam Houston.

All are invited to attend any or all services, your presence is wanted as we say goodbye to the best man we know. We will spend our days missing his big smile, jokes, and good mood, until we are together again.