Robert Moreno

Robert Moreno ObituaryObituary published on Legacy.com by Rhodes Funeral Home - Karnes City on Mar. 13, 2026.Robert Gilbert Moreno, 79, of Austin, Texas, passed away Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at St. David's Hospital in Austin a day short of his 80th birthday.Robert was born March 5, 1946, in Karnes City to Margarito and Frances (Garcia) Moreno. He was removed from high school by his father to work at Wells Meat Company to help his family's income and was unable to graduate. He made the most of that hard time and started his own restaurant, El Toro, with two locations. He married Rose Garcia on February 14, 1966, and had one child, Robert Moreno Jr. After their divorce in 1981, Robert dated Lee Luna and had two children together, Arman and Anna Lisa Moreno. He was blessed with a son born Josh Gonzales who was kept a secret from him until their miraculous reunion in February of 2021. He went on to marry Macrina Castillo on December 15, 1984, and had two children, Michael Chase and Taylor Ross Moreno. He was a member of San José Church and cherished their religious retreats and also hosted "comunidad" worship gatherings in his family's home in Austin, Texas.During his career as a talented car salesman, his love of connecting with people earned himself the #1 salesperson in the nation for Isuzu. He went on to excel at his trade at Continental Cars, eventually retiring from C Van R Automotive, a repair shop in Austin, Texas. He had an engineering mind and was very knowledgeable about cars and loved solving mechanical problems for his loved ones and would always get to the bottom of it, no matter how much work it took. He loved improving on the ideas of others, dreaming of things like "improving the wheel" by defying gravity in his free time.His most enduring creative brilliance shines through still in the beloved music he composed and recorded throughout his compassionate fun-loving life. It continues to fire up that same creative passion in countless members of his family. It contented his heart to share his vast knowledge and joy of life with family and friends but really, with anybody willing to share a word with him.In addition to his parents, Margarito Moreno and Francis Garcia, he was preceded in death by all of his brothers, Joe, Trine, Luz, Johnnie and George Moreno; as well as two sisters, Alice Salazar and Minerva "Minnie" Maria Banda.Left behind to cherish fond memories include his wife of 41 years, Macrina (Castillo) Moreno; his sons, Taylor and Chase Moreno, Josh Gonzales and Arman (Paige) and Rob Moreno; his daughter, Anna Lisa Moreno Luna; his grandchildren, Nathan, Caleb and Bryson (Gonzales) Moreno, Max Moreno and Alma de la Lama Noriega Moreno; his sisters, Julie Ann Gonzales, Betty (Larry) Leonard and Mary Nunley; and last but not least, his many nieces and nephews.Visitation was held from 10 to 11 a.m. Monday, March 16, 2026, at St. Cornelius Catholic Church in Karnes City with a Rosary recited at 11 o'clock. The funeral Mass was celebrated at 11:30 a.m. with the interment immediately following at the Karnes City Cemetery where he was buried near his parents and other family members.Pallbearers were Rob Moreno, Taylor Moreno, Larry Leonard Sr., Larry Leonard Jr., Leith Leonard and Daniel Perez.Serving as honorary pallbearers were John Banda and Scotty Nunley.To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.