On June 21, 2023, our beloved Hector Morales III, loyal to his family and the Arizona Wildcats, passed away peacefully surrounded by his mother and family. He blessed his parents, brothers, all his family and all his friends for the 67 years he spent with us on earth.
He will be joined in heaven by his father Hector Jr., nephew Ian Michael, and many dear family members including Papa Nino, Mama Nina, grandfather Hector Sr. and grandmother Tutsi.
Close relatives he left behind include his mother Elsa and her boyfriend Jim, sister Debra Gloria (brother-in-law Michael), brother Carlos (sister-in-law Terry), Andy (sister-in-law Jane) and Javier. is included.
His beloved nephews and nieces on earth include Wade, Amber, Adam, Ariana, Britney, Maggie and Mackenzie. His grandfather Wren and Rowan, as well as his grandfather Lucas, keep Hector’s thoughts dear to our hearts.
Hector was born and raised in Tucson. He has loved the town since he was growing up in the south part of town near Sunnyside High School. He was a 1974 graduate of the University of Sunnyside and in 1986 he earned an associate degree in general studies from Pima Community College.
His father and mother were long-time community servants who raised Hector and his children while making Tucson a welcoming place for people of all walks of life.
Hector’s father, Hector Jr., worked as a Pima County Assessor from 1958 to 1966 (designing the MVD building in Aho and the official Pima County seal), and served as a civic councilor from 1965 to 1968. He led the success of enactment of the Rights Ordinance. He imposed excise taxes on groceries and prescriptions, and applied water to the Tohono O’odham and Pasqua Yaki tribes. Hector Sr. also served as Mo Udall’s campaign manager and served as executive assistant for regional operations in the Carter and Reagan administrations. He served as César Chavez’s congressional lobbyist. He has also worked for the Arizona Department of Economic Security and served as Executive Director of the El Pueblo Clinic. He served on the Fair Housing Council before moving to the Pima County Health Commission, where he served until his death in 2010.
Hector III, like many of us, viewed his father as a hero and tried to live his life in the same compassionate and heartfelt way.
His love for the Arizona Wildcats in all sports was unmatched. He watched football games with season tickets, and watched women’s and men’s basketball, baseball, and softball games on television as intently as he could, even when he couldn’t watch them in person. He made regular appearances on the postgame radio show, expressing his support for the Wildcats, win or loss. He went into every season believing that Arizona would win every game.
While attending Sunnyside High School, Hector III was an exemplary student participating in cross-country and football. Despite his personal trauma and hardships, Hector persevered to earn an associate degree at the University of Pima, 12 years after he graduated from Sunnyside. Hector always found ways to bounce back and lift his spirits through the toughest times of his life.
He was a deeply religious man, praying faithfully and visiting numerous Catholic churches from the time he lived with his family in Tucson and Kensington, Maryland. He carried a rosary and prayer cards.
He greeted many strangers at churches, stores, college sporting events, and on the streets.
That’s the Hector III we remember. He was kind in good times and bad and always wanted the best for himself, his family and his Arizona Wildcats.
Hold on, Hector.
In lieu of flowers, donate to the Hector Morales All Sports Tucson Scholarship Fund, run by brother Andy at AllSportsTucson.com. Create a check for Andy Morales and mail it to Javier and Andy Morales, 315 W. Valencia Road, PO Box 11581, Tucson, AZ, 85734.
Rosary at Brings Broadway Chapel, Thursday, June 29, 2023, 7:00 p.m. at 6910 E Broadway Blvd. Tucson. Funeral Mass at ST. Joseph Catholic Church, Friday, June 30, 2023 at 10:00 am at 215 S. Craycroft Road, Tucson. After the funeral, the funeral and reception will be held at the same church reception hall.
