Arturo Vasquez, CPA
Arturo Vasquez was a businessman in Corpus Christi for 43 years, beginning with his bookkeeping company in 1950. In 1953, when Vasquez became a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), he named his business, Arturo Vasquez and Company, CPA. His company was the first Mexican American CPA firm in Corpus Christi. He was also the first Mexican American to join the Texas Society of CPAs in Corpus Christi.
On November 8, 2003, Vasquez was honored by the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy, for maintaining his CPA license for 50 years. Vasquez retired his CPA license on December 31, 2009, three months prior to his death.
Vasquez served on countless civic organizations, including the American GI Forum and LULAC. He also served as a Corpus Christi Independent School Board Trustee for 24 years.
Vasquez worked tirelessly for Mexican American civil and veterans rights alongside Dr. Hector P. Garcia. He served as a financial advisor to many non-profit organizations in Corpus Christi, and gave countless hours to the school board to better the education of Mexican American children in Corpus Christi. Vasquez’s legacy is one of justice and devotion to his people.
If Arturo Vasquez had been born in a different time and place, he may never have been a gunner in a B-24 Liberator during WWII, graduated from the University of Texas in Austin, or been a school board member in Corpus Christi, Texas. But as it happened, he was born in a time when he could serve in the military; receive veteran’s benefits to attend college; and win a place in public office as a school board member. He was part of the Greatest Generation.
-Nadine (Vasquez) Hefner [Vasquez’s daughter]
Arturo Vasquez, School Board Trustee, Corpus Christi Independent School District, circa mid 1950s .
Arturo and Marie Vasquez with their children and grandchildren, circa late 1990s.
Arturo and Marie Vasquez, married for 23 years, in 1976.