Lower Valley Leader Passes Away

Fabens ISD Board President and long-time community leader "Coach" Rey Sepulveda has passed away after a fight with cancer. 

Coach, as he was affectionately known around Fabens, was a long-time advocate for a range of issues in Fabens including education. 

I had a chance to sit and talk with him when he was a candidate for House District 75 and was challenging Mary Gonzalez for her seat. 

I met him at a Whataburger in the valley and we had lunch and talked for about two hours. He understood exactly what he was up against. He knew he wasn't likely to win and that she basically had every advantage possible. But he didn't back down and stayed in the race despite the odds. 

You gotta admire someone who knows the fight in front of them, knows they don't have the resources to win, but is willing to stand on principle for what they care about. 

I remember him as jovial, with an infectious laugh and a strong handshake. But my biggest takeaway from Coach was his commitment to community. He really wanted to make sure his community got its fair share and he really cared about kids in Fabens. 

Longtime friend and colleague of Coach Sepulveda is Fabens ISD Board Member and former Board President Orlando Flores. Flores is a farmer in the Fabens area in addition to serving as a trustee with Sepulveda. 

"He was a migrant worker, a leader in the Chicano Movement, a teacher, a coach, a school board member, and a Knight of Columbus - the list can go on and on. His passion was coaching and mentoring kids - his passion was Fabens", said Flores of Sepulveda.

Sepulveda was a member of the Knights of Columbus in the Our Lady of Guadalupe parish in Fabens. 

Coming from a modest background he graduated from Fabens High and went to NMSU and UTEP. He eventually became a teacher and chose to teach in neighboring communities like Clint and San Elizario. A lot of people leave Fabens for other places when they go to college and only come back occasionally to visit family. Its a testament to Sepulveda's commitment to the Fabens community that he chose to stay and serve his community while teaching and coaching in neighboring communities. 

He was a board member in his hometown of Fabens for more than 20 years. Fabens is a place with strong people and strong opinions - so its a pretty big accomplishment to serve that long.