Early Family Life
Arturo Vasquez was born in Laredo, Texas, on December 13, 1924, to immigrants, Concepcion Escalante and Rodolfo Garcia Vasquez. He was their third child of five children. Vasquez was influenced by the stories of his great-uncles, Cenobio and Ysaac Garcia. Both were self-employed in profitable businesses and part of the Laredo community, with Cenobio Garcia heavily involved in the Laredo’s annual Washington’s Birthday Celebration in early 1900s. Their success and community service influenced young Vasquez to grow up to emulate his uncles.
While in high school, Vasquez joined the Laredo High School Journal, and the Typing and Stenography Club, becoming the club’s secretary, and then treasurer. He worked part-time for the United States Weather Bureau as an Airway Observer, and also at a freight forwarding company as a shipping clerk.
Concepcion Escalante Vasquez, mother of Arturo Vasquez. Laredo, Texas, circa 1930s.
Arturo Vasquez, second row left side, posing for a photo with his siblings, Enrique, Altagracia “Yayita” seated, right Rodolfo, Jr. "Fito", and Gloria Alicia "Lecha". Laredo, Texas, circa 1935.
Family photo featuring Arturo Vasquez, standing second from the left, Aunt Soledad “Chole” Juvera, and then Rodolfo Vasquez, Jr. Mexico, circa 1945.
Arturo Vasquez’s parents sitting, Rodolfo and Concepcion E. Vasquez, standing Aunt Soledad “Chole” Juvera, (Concepcion E. Vasquez’s aunt), and Arturo Vasquez’s siblings. Laredo, Texas, Nov. 24, 1934.
Photograph of baby Altagracia “Yayita" Vasquez, great-grandmother Altagracia Saenz Garcia, and baby Rodolfo Vasquez, Jr. "Fito". Laredo, Texas, circa 1923.
Arturo Vasquez high school graduation photo. Laredo, Texas, 1943.