Paul Ronnie Vargas

Paul Ronnie Vargas passed peacefully on Thursday, June 22, 2023, surrounded by family.

Paul was born in Corpus Christi, Texas on October 11, 1971, as the youngest child to David and Alice Vargas. Paul graduated from Flour Bluff High School in 1990. He was recruited to play football for, and attended, Sterling College, in Sterling, Kansas. He returned home to attend Texas A&M University, Corpus Christi, where he graduated with a double major Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry and Biology. Paul was also a proud member of Sigma Nu fraternity. On June 14, 2002, he married his best friend, Jennifer Lynn Clower. They lived in Nassau Bay, Texas. Jennifer and Paul were blessed with two amazing sons, Joshua Owen, Evan Joseph, and a beautiful daughter, Dannon Elizabeth. Their house was filled with love, laughter, and animals, including a love and respect for our immense universe. He is also survived by his loving siblings Yvonne Brooks, David Chris Vargas (Sandra), and Fay Phillips (Michael); nieces Sierra Lara, Marisa Vargas, April Phillips, and Madeline Clower; and nephews Andrew Brooks, Matthew Phillips, and Jackson and George Clower.

Paul had a huge zest for life and a keen sense of humor. He was a skilled surfer and a Nueces County beach lifeguard. Paul was dedicated to supporting the NASA Human Research Program and multiple space missions. Paul was a Mission Support Scientist and Astronaut Liaison for missions related to the International Space Station. He traveled the world as a NASA Payloads contact to NASA’s International Partners (IP). While Paul turned down NASA’s request to join the astronaut program, his impact was recognized when the space program astronauts presented him with the Silver Snoopy Award. Chosen and presented by astronauts, the Silver Snoopy is awarded for outstanding performance, contributing to flight safety and mission success. Fewer than 1% of the aerospace program workforce receive it annually, making it a special honor to receive. He also received the NASA HRP Peer Award and HRP Program Integration Office Award for Excellence.

Polo will be remembered with love and laughter by every heart he has touched.

A rosary will be held on Monday, July 24, 2023, at 9 AM, followed at 10 AM by a Mass of Resurrection at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, 2233 Waldron Road, Corpus Christi, Texas 78418. Burial immediately following at Rose Hill Memorial Park, 2731 Comanche Street, Corpus Christi, TX 78408.

There will be a memorial celebration reception at 1:30 pm in the Parish Hall. Please join our family and share your unforgettable memories of Polo!