Javier "Hobby" Ulloa
November 5, 1937 – July 25, 2022

Our beloved Javier "Hobby" Ulloa passed away on July 25, 2022, in Spring, Texas at the age of 84.

Javier was born on November 5, 1937, to Carmen and Estéban Ulloa in Aguascalientes, Mexico. He had ten siblings. The Ulloa family moved to the United States around 1949. Their father, Estéban Ulloa, had a job as a brick layer in McAllen, Texas, and with the help of Attorney (former US Senator) Lloyd Bentsen, the family came here legally.

Soon after the family moved to Jacinto City, Texas. The children went to Jacinto City Elementary school. Javier was 12 years old and placed into a 3rd grade class to learn English. This put him several years behind in age than his classmates. He learned rapidly and graduated from Galena Park High School in 1958 at the age of 20. He was an excellent student and graduated third in his Senior Class.

While Javier was in school, his older brother Jesse had opened a Mom-and-Pop grocery store called Ulloa's Superette in Jacinto City. Javier went to work at the store as well as his siblings. Javier met his wife Carol Lee Brokaw while he was working at Ulloa's Superette. After a two-year courtship, Javier and Carol married on September 4, 1965. Shortly after in 1966, they welcomed their first child, Kimberly, and in 1970 had their second child, Richard. It was during this time, in 1969, that Javier became a proud United States citizen.

Javier and Carol started their new life in Jacinto City and then lived in Galena Park from 1970-1979. After that, they bought a house in Pine Trails, a suburb of Houston and lived there from 1979-2002. In 2002, they moved to Spring, Texas to be closer to their children and grandchildren.

Javier continued his work in the grocery industry for many years as a manager for the supermarket chain Weingarten's. After being laid off from Weingarten's in 1983 when its stores were sold, Javier went to work for Precoat Metals. He worked at Precoat Metals for 25 years until 2008 when he had a massive stroke at the age of 70. Javier loved his job but had to retire after his stroke which left him unable to speak or use the right side of his body. Javier's solid work ethic and loyalty are traits that his family and friends will never forget. Javier's strength and perseverance following his stroke were an inspiration to all that knew him.

Javier's lifetime passion was gardening, and he took great pleasure in working in his yard. His yard was always manicured and beautifully maintained, and occasionally was Yard of the Month in their neighborhood. A few of Javier's favorite plants were azaleas, bougainvillea, and any cactus. Javier's children remember him coming to help them in their yards often after working in his own.

When his children were growing up, Javier delighted in taking his family on yearly summer trips down to the Texas border and crossing over into Mexico to shop, and then a return trip back home through San Antonio. Javier enjoyed traveling and especially enjoyed seeing extended family on a couple of trips back to his hometown of Aguascalientes, Mexico in 1993 and 2005.

Javier was "Poppy" to five beautiful grandchildren whom he loved dearly, and all brought a huge smile to his face whenever he saw them. Javier and Carol enjoyed spending time with their children and grandchildren, whether it was traveling, holidays, celebrating birthdays, simple outings, or dinners together.

Javier and Carol were married 56 memorable years. Javier was deeply grieved when Carol became ill in March 2022. Carol passed away on July 17, 2022. Living only eight days without her, Hobby passed away and joined Carol in eternal rest on July 25, 2022.

Javier is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Kimberly and Joe Slavik; his son and daughter-in-law, Richard and Chrisi Ulloa; his grandchildren Andrew Rowell, Emily Rowell, Sarah Laux, Dylan Ulloa and Savannah Ulloa; siblings Soccoro Delgado, Alice Escobedo, Steve Ulloa, Carmen Ulloa and Ramiro Ulloa and their families; and many nieces and nephews. Javier was preceded in death by his beloved wife Carol Ulloa; parents, Carmen and Estéban Ulloa; sister and brother-in-law Amparo and Jimmy Hernandez; brother Jessie Ulloa; sister Theresa Delgado; sister Margaret Mills; and brother Rudy Ulloa.

A Memorial Service to celebrate the lives of Javier (Hobby) Ulloa and Carol Ulloa will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, August 24, 2022, at Lakewood United Methodist Church, 11330 Louetta Road, Houston, Texas 77070.

Flowers are welcome, as are memorial donations to TIRR Memorial Hermann and Montgomery County Animal Shelter