Alberto Martinez Pantoja

Alberto “Big Al” Pantoja, age 70, of Amarillo, died suddenly on October 17, 2023.

The family will receive guests at Schooler Funeral Home on Sunday, October 22, from 3 PM until 4 PM.

The funeral will be on Monday, October 23, 2023, at 2:00 PM at Schooler Funeral Home, Brentwood Chapel.  The Rev. Spike Maldonado will officiate.  The interment will be at Llano Cemetery East.

Albert was born in Post, Texas, on December 2, 1952, to his parents, Candido and Pauline Pantoja.

He graduated from Caprock High School in 1971 and proudly served in the United States Army. While in the Army, he earned the National Defense Service Medal.

After the Army, Albert, a mechanic by trade, established his own business for many years after closing his doors; he went on to serve the Amarillo VA  for 20 years before retiring. His hobbies included working on small engines,  being an amazing cook, and a green thumb that could grow anything. You could always catch him with a mug of root beer in his hand. Albert was a loving brother, uncle, grandpa, great grandpa, and cousin to many. Just days before his death, he traveled to Lubbock to celebrate the 91st birthday of his beloved Aunt Valentina.  He was happiest when he was spending time with his family, precious grandchildren and great-grandchildren or his faithful canine companion, Ruby.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Candido and Pauline Pantoja; a brother, Joe Pantoja; and granddaughter, Mercy Romero.

Albert is survived by his daughter, Candida Corbett, and her husband, Joe of Phoenix AZ; Gloria Chalfant and her husband, Michael of Amarillo, son Albert Pantoja Jr. of Amarillo, daughter Leigha Bement of North Carolina; he also raised three grandchildren as his own Alycia, Mercy and Jimmie Romero all of Amarillo; three sisters, Dominga Martinez, Betty Gutierrez and Irene Sauceda all of Amarillo; two brothers, Sebastian Pantoja of Oklahoma and David Pantoja of Weatherford, TX; his ex-wives that remained close friends, Lydia and Raquel; seventeen grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.