Gilbert J. Riojas III, Gilly for all who knew him, was called into eternal life on Friday, December 13, 2024. Gilly’s parents, Tina and Gilbert Riojas, fell in love at Uvalde High School, and married while attending Texas A&M University, where Gilly was born on May 13, 1977. From the start, Gilly was an Aggie. Gilly was the first grandchild of his very proud grandparents, Tom and Ouida Schliesing, and Gilbert and Dolores Riojas. He was adored by his aunt and uncle Chip and Roxann with whom he was very close.

Tina and Gilbert’s family grew, and Gilly was blessed with three younger sisters, Jamie, Caitlin and Ryan. Gilly’s sisters are strong young women, thanks in part to the toughness they developed enduring their older brother’s relentless teasing. Growing up, Gilly had a special friendship with Shane Cunningham who was, is and will always be part of the Riojas family. Gilly loved and excelled at playing football at Austin High, and he told big tales of his days on the field–Loyal Forever! After graduating from Austin High in 1996, he fulfilled his dream to follow in his grandad Doyle’s and Tina and Gilbert’s footsteps to attend Texas A&M University.

During his time at Texas A&M, Gilly built lifelong friendships, especially with the young men that he met as a bonfire Redpot. Gilly’s experience as a Redpot was one of the most cherished he had in life. It led to friendships, unbelievable loss and ultimately, the love of his life.

Gilly met Andrea Martinka during the fall semester of his junior year during stack, as a skinny, dirty, tired junior Redpot. From the time she first laid eyes on him, she admired his hard work and his qualities as a leader. They quickly fell in love and began life together that fall.

Gilly and Andrea married on December 4, 2004, in the special church in which Andrea was raised, surrounded by family and friends. This December, Gilly and Andrea celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary.

During their 20 years of marriage, there came blessings and challenges, but undoubtably the most precious blessing in Gilly’s life was his daughter, Rylynn Sara Riojas, born on May 1, 2009. Rylynn, or Ry, as he affectionately called her, was his everything. It is difficult to describe the love that these two shared. God blessed Gilly with his perfect companion; she is the most beautiful, funny, young lady, thanks to the example that Gilly lived. Even though life was busy and fast-paced, Gilly always worked his calendar around Rylynn’s activities, which included volleyball games, school events, and Friday night football at Incarnate Word Academy, often driving hours back and forth across the State of Texas to share the things that were important to her. The love between a father and daughter that Gilly shared with Rylynn during his time here was rare and truly special. She loved her dad and will miss him greatly.

Committed to his family and his faith, Gilly was also a working man with a deep love for South Texas land and cattle. Gilly was the general Manager for LaBabia Cattle Co. that operates ranches in Mexico and South Texas, along with a feedyard located in Quemado. He was very proud of the leadership positions he held and his service to better the cattle industry. Most recently, Gilly served numerous industry groups, councils and associations to promote and improve the cattle industry he dearly loved. These include the Texas Cattle Feeders Association, the Texas Beef Council, the Beef Promotion and Research Council of Texas, and the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (Director since 2018). On behalf of the Texas Beef Council, he also served as a Director for the Federation of State Beef Councils and served on the Domestic Marketing Committee at the national level, providing oversight for the marketing component of the National Beef Checkoff.

Gilly had a natural ability and love to mentor young men and women in the cattle industry, which he truly enjoyed. Gilly shaped the lives and careers of many young cattle professionals and left what will undoubtably be a lasting mark on the cattle industry.

In addition to his close family relationships, Gilly had many great friendships, which were genuine, strong and truly wonderful. Gilly was kind, generous, helpful, lighthearted and, best of all, fun. He touched the lives of all of those that came to know him in so many ways. He was the best kind of man. He will be deeply missed.

Gilly is preceded in death by his grandparents, James Doyle McSpadden, and Dolores and Gilbert L. Riojas. Gilly is survived by his wife, Andrea Martinka Riojas, and daughter Rylynn Sara Riojas, of Corpus Christi, parents, Bettina Lynn McSpadden and Gilbert J. Riojas, Jr. of Austin, sisters Jamie Riojas (nephews and niece Jackson, Blue, and Maddie Hall), Caitlin Riojas and spouse Tyler Canon (niece Penny Canon), and Ryan Riojas, all of Austin, and grandparents Ouida Schliesing and her second husband Tom Schliesing, of Uvalde.

A visitation will be held Thursday, December 19, at 6:00pm with a rosary to be recited at 7:00pm. Seaside Funeral Home, 4357 Ocean Dr., Corpus Christi, TX 78412. A Funeral Mass will be held Friday, December 20 at 2:00pm. St. Patrick Church, 3350 S. Alameda, Corpus Christi, TX 78411.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Incarnate Word Academy, Gilly Riojas Memorial Fund. To make a gift online: https://link.edgepilot.com/s/a3b95688/9ZgK5bx9TUKN2rKoNb1Hqw?u=https://secure.qgiv.com/for/ime/

Or mail a gift to:

Incarnate Word Academy

Attn: Gilly Riojas Memorial Fund

2920 S. Alameda St.

Corpus Christi, TX 78404