Refugio Enrique Palacio, of Mason, passed away on Sunday, October 29, at the age of 78. He was affectionately known as Wedo or Ricky to his friends and family. Mr. Palacio is survived by his wife Mary Palacio, of Mason, two children: John Palacio and wife Deandra of Mason and Norma Castaneda and husband Felix of Fredericksburg, eight brothers and sisters: Daniel Palacio of Mason, Louis Palacio of Mason, Louisa Palacio of Mason, David Palacio of Mason, Moses Palacio of San Angelo, Pete Palacio and wife Diana of San Angelo, Rosalinda Martinez of Mason, Irene Gloria and husband Andrew of Brownwood, and 4 grandchildren Devin Castaneda, John Adam Castaneda, Raegan Palacio, and Makenna Palacio. Ricky was preceded in death by a son, Refugio Enrique Palacio Jr., two sisters Frances Soto and Mary Inez Trevino, and two brothers Paul and Alfred Palacio.
Visitation with the family at Mason Funeral Home will be Wednesday from 5 to 7 p.m. and a Rosary to be held at 7pm. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated by Father Melvin Dornak on Thursday, November 2, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church followed by burial at Crosby Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers will be Devin Castaneda, John Adam Castaneda, Martin Palacio, Joe Martinez, Ramiro Cantu and Rito Lopez. Honorary pallbearers will be Raegan Palacio, Makenna Palacio, Sarah Howell, Payton Carroll, and Jacob Velez.
Ricky was born in Menard, Texas on July 4, 1939 to Paulino Palacio and Anastacia Aguirre Palacio. He was a life-long resident of Mason County and a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church. On June 24, 1966 Ricky married the love of his life, Mary Lopez in Mason. Ricky did ranch work, sheep shearing and general labor before working for the City of Mason where he worked for 21 years and retired in 2001. He loved woodworking, sketching, fishing, and being outdoors. Many wonderful memories were created with family on camping and fishing trips .Ricky also enjoyed making knives and rings by hand and sharing them with those he loved. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend.