J. Jorge Verduzco

“The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised” (Job 1:21)

J. Jorge Verduzco entered into eternal rest on January 20, 2024, in Laredo, one month short of his 83rd birthday.  Jorge was born and raised in Laredo, and grew up in a very close-knit family with lots of love and respect always present at home. His parents instilled in him strong values of integrity and character and always encouraged him to live a faith-based life and pursue an education.

His determination to reach the goals he set for himself was evident throughout his life. He graduated from St. Joseph’s Academy and received a Bachelor’s Degree from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio. He went on to obtain a Master’s Degree in Latin American Studies from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., where he met his future wife and love of his life, Olga, a graduate exchange student from Brazil. They were married in December 1969. Later he obtained a second Master’s Degree in International Management from the American Graduate School of International Management, also known as Thunderbird School, in Glendale, Arizona, graduating with honors and receiving the Barton Kyle Young Award, the equivalent of the Valedictorian of his class.

After working with the federal government at the State Department during the Kennedy and Johnson administrations in D.C. and wanting to directly help people in need, Jorge joined Project HOPE, a private nonprofit health foundation which worked with foreign governments and universities to establish health education programs to benefit the less fortunate in Central and South America. His job involved negotiating contracts with governments providing health programs and consultation in Nicaragua, Ecuador, Jamaica, and Brazil. 

After a brief year in the private business sector with Continental Grain Company in New York City, Jorge was again pulled by the heart to a more noble cause. He and Olga went back to Brazil and lived in the Amazon Region for 5 years during which time Jorge was instrumental in founding and establishing a Brazilian foundation, Fundacao Esperanca, in partnership with a local university and Franciscan missionaries in the region, managing health teaching and assistance programs.

In early 1981, health issues brought Jorge and Olga, at the time with months old twin children, back to the US and Laredo, which brought him a new career opportunity of joining the International Bank of Commerce. During his 33 years with IBC, he concentrated in international business development and marketing, in addition to government relations. Always an advocate for economic development along the Texas-Mexico border, Jorge served in several committees and boards that promoted trade and commerce as well as government relations. He was appointed by Gov. Ann Richards to serve as Chairman of the Texas-Mexico Authority Advisory Board and as a member of the Policy Board of the Texas Department of Commerce. He represented the Governor in numerous meetings and missions in Texas, Mexico, the US and Japan. He also served as Co-Chair of Texans for NAFTA and traveled extensively in support of the proposed treaty. He was a founding member of the Board Trade Alliance and founding director and vice-chairman of the Alliance for I-69 Texas, the national highway linking the economic centers of the US.

Also during his years at IBC and following its philosophy of Doing More, Jorge was active in many civic organizations dedicated to service and the betterment and benefit of our community, such as the United Way, IGNC, American Heart Association, Boys and Girls Club, Boy Scouts of America and the Rotary Club. As a Rotarian, he served as club president and District Governor, and was awarded by Rotary International with the Service Above Self Award. As a member of the Boy Scouts Gulf Council, he was very involved in the efforts to build Camp Huisache in Laredo and establish the Aztec District. He was inducted into the Laredo Business Hall of Fame and was a recipient of the Junior Achievement Award and Tejano Achiever Award. 

Above all, Jorge was a devoted and loving family man who inspired his family and those who knew him to believe that responsibility, hard work, commitment and love of God indeed matter. To him God and family were first and foremost in his life. Upon returning to Laredo, he and Olga joined his former parish of Blessed Sacrament Church, where he had served as an Altar Boy in his early years. They became involved in several ministries and serve as Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist. In 2002, following the recommendation of Bishop Tamayo, they were invested in the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem.

Jorge will be remembered as being courteous and a true gentleman. His integrity, honesty, and thoughtfulness earned him the respect and admiration of his peers and all who knew him. His caring mind and heart were conditioned to be generous, humble and selfless. He always took time to listen and offer words of comfort and encouragement. His love and dedication to his family were unconditional. He and Olga shared a special bond during 54 years of marriage, a union made stronger by a deep love and respect for each other through successes and joys, sickness and loss, where faith and love always prevailed. He had a special connection with and love for Brazil, Olga’s native country, and used to say, “my blood is Mexican, my passport American, and my heart Brazilian”. 

Jorge was preceded in death by his parents, Mercedes and Jesus W. Verduzco, a baby daughter, Iara Margarita; brother Roberto A. Verduzco, sister Margarita Gonzalez and brother-in-law Jose L. Gonzalez. He is survived by his wife and the love of his life Olga, son Roberto D. Verduzco, daughter Daniela (Rogelio) V. Duque; grandchildren Roberto and Rochelle Verduzco, and Carolina V. Duque, nieces Alejandra (Art) Brady and Gabriela (James) Tawil, cousins and other relatives both in Mexico and Brazil. 

The family will be receiving condolences on Thursday, January 25, 2024 from 5pm to 9pm at Joe Jackson North Funeral Chapels & Cremation Services, 1410 Jacaman Rd; where a Vigil for the Deceased and Rosary will commence at 7pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, January 26, 2024 at Blessed Sacrament Church at 12pm. A private Interment will be held at a later date. 

Pallbearers will be Roberto D. Verduzco, Rogelio Duque, James Tawil, Art Brady, Anthony Verduzco, Dr. Carlos Cigarroa, Carlos Vela and Guillermo Vela. Honorary Pallbearers are Paulo Epstein, Paulo D. Epstein, Virgilio Verduzco, Sergio Verduzco, Manuel Guerra, Ignacio Urrabazo and Ricardo Miner.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent in his memory to the Daybreak Rotary Club, Casa de Misericordia, United Way of Laredo or a charity of your choice.    

You may express your condolences, share your favorite memories, and sign the guestbook online at: www.joejacksonfuneralchapels.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care and direction of the funeral service professionals at Joe Jackson North Funeral Chapels & Cremation Services, 1410 Jacaman Rd., Laredo, Texas 78041; (956)722-8850.