Robert Joseph Cavazos (1930 - 2013)

Born 26 Nov 1930 in Kleberg, Texas, United States

Ancestors

Died 16 Nov 2013 at age 82 in Texas, United States

Biography

Robert, son of Lauro F Cavasos & Tomacito Quintinilla, was born on 26 November 1930 in Kleberg, Texas, United States.^[1]

Robert married Nancy La Nell Chastain on 25 February 1954 in Lubbock, Texas, United States.^[2] They had 3 children.

Robert was divorced from Nancy Cavazos on 8 June 1984 in Stephens, Texas, United States.^[3]

Career

As a young man he worked with his father on the King Ranch.

Football

Texas Tech University Football:

As a successful football player for H. M. King High School, he was given a football scholarship at Texas Tech University. Accomplishments:

• 1951, as a sophomore, he gained 706 yards and 9 touchdowns; the team beat Pacific University in the Sun Bowl (Tech's first bowl victory); was honorable mention All-America
• 1952 he gained 674 yards and made 10 touchdowns
• 1953, as a senior, Tech had 11 wins and 1 loss; beat Auburn University in the Gator Bowl - he was selected most valuable player for the game having accumulated 141 yards and 3 touchdowns
• In each of these 3 seasons he led the team in rushing yardage
• 1954 he was selected by the Chicago Cardinals in the NFL draft but suffered a shoulder injury in a preseason game which ended his football career

Gator Bowl 1954

Bobby was named co-most valuable player for the game.^[4]

Military

After his short-lived professional football career, he completed his military service requirement serving two years in the U.S. Army.

Rancher and Author

Bobby returned to the King Ranch to work. He wrote two books which were published - The Cowboy from the Wild Horse Desert: A Story of the King Ranch and The Cowboy from the Wild Horse Desert book two: The Saga Continues.

Death and Burial

Robert died on 16 November 2013 and was buried in Kingsville, Kleberg County, Texas, United States.^[5]

Research Notes

Just where Robert died has not been determined. Available obituaries simply state he died in Texas. October 28, 2022.

Sources

1. ↑ Birth: "Texas, U.S., Birth Index, 1903-1997"
   Texas Birth Index, 1903-1997. Texas: Texas Department of State Health Services. Microfiche
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 8781 #1496572 (accessed 13 October 2022)
   Robert Joe Cavasos born on 26 Nov 1930, son of Lauro F Cavasos & Tomacito Quintinilla, in Kleberg, Texas, USA.
2. ↑ Marriage: "Texas, U.S., Select County Marriage Records, 1837-1965"
   Lubbock County Clerk's Office; Lubbock, Texas; Lubbock County, Texas, Marriage Records
   Ancestry Record 9168 #926733589 (accessed 13 October 2022)
   Robert Joseph Cavazos marriage to Nancy La Nell Chastain on 25 Feb 1954 in Lubbock, Texas, USA.
3. ↑ Divorce: "Texas, U.S., Divorce Index, 1968-2015"
   Texas Department of State Health Services; Austin, Texas
   Ancestry Record 8794 #1984043991 (accessed 13 October 2022)
   Robert J Cavazos divorce from Nancy Cavazos on 8 Jun 1984 in Stephens, Texas, USA.
4. ↑ Wikipedia - 1954 Gator Bowl (January)
5. ↑ Burial: "U.S., Find a Grave Index, 1600s-Current"
   URL: Find A Grave: Memorial #126877222
   Ancestry Record 60525 #82401069 (accessed 13 October 2022)
   Robert J Cavazos burial (died on 16 Nov 2013) in Kingsville, Kleberg County, Texas, United States of America.

• Wikipedia - List of Texas Tech Red Raiders in the NFL Draft

See Also:

Lubbock Avalanche Journal - Bobby Cavazos, son of the King Ranch, Tech all-American, dies at 82 published November 18, 2013