Texas Legendary Fastpitch Softball Pitcher and Coach Luis A. “El Diablo” Aguayo Passes Away at Age 83
By: Ricardo E. Calderon, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc., Copyright 2020
Texas fastpitch softball players, coaches, and fans mourn the passing away of legendary pitcher and coach Luis A. “El Diablo” Aguayo on Sunday, February 23, 2020, in San Antonio, Texas.
Aguayo mentored thousands of young ladies in the art of fastpitch softball pitching and developed them into elite pitchers, players, students, and leaders and was affectionately called “Coach Louie” by his pupils. Aguayo worked with young ladies from age six to up to college level student athletes and was known for having extraordinary patience, dedication, and teaching skills with such a diverse group of young ladies from south and central Texas.
While based in San Antonio, Texas, Aguayo enjoyed traveling outside of San Antonio to many cities throughout Texas to give instructional pitching lessons to bright and eager young ladies, including from such cities as Eagle Pass, Laredo, Rio Grande Valley, Corpus Christi, Pleasanton, Poth, Jourdanton, Three Rivers, Converse, New Braunfels, Austin, La Vernia, Marion, Natalia, Lytle, Devine, Seguin, San Marcos, and many other cities.
Many of Coach Louie’s student athletes developed into the finest and fiercest softball pitchers in Texas and went on to win many District, Bi-District, Area, Regional, State, and National Championships and honors. While volunteering as a pitching coach at St. Mary’s University, Aguayo’s training of the women’s softball team pitchers helped the Lady Rattlers win a National Championship.
Aguayo’s legacy will not only include having trained and developed so many champion pitchers in Texas, but includes instilling character, leadership, passion, self-esteem, confidence, and discipline to so many young ladies who went on to complete their education and become physicians, lawyers, teachers, coaches, accountants, physical therapists, engineers, social workers, and just about every profession. Aguayo had a God-given talent to communicate with young ladies into becoming outstanding student athletes and community leaders.
Aguayo also was an accomplished men’s fastpitch softball pitcher during his lifetime. He played competitively many years in San Antonio and won many league, state, and national championships as a pitcher. He played many years with the San Antonio Legends in various leagues and state and national tournaments. His opponents feared his extraordinary ball movement as a pitcher that they nicknamed him “El Diablo.”
Aguayo served in the United States Army in the Korean War and was a proud veteran.
Luis A. Aguayo is preceded in death by his father, Manuel Aguayo, mother, Severina Almendarez Aguayo, wife, Norma Canales Aguayo, son, Luis Antonio Aguayo, and sisters, Irene Aguayo and Ermalinda “Bitsy” Aguayo.
Aguayo is survived by his wife, Irene Harlow Aguayo, children Angelo Aguayo (Cynthia Aguayo), Giovanna Wolfshol, Gabby Traxler, and Severina Aguayo (Melissa Perez); grandchildren Gabriel Aguayo (Erika), Angela Martinez (Michael), Eric Aguayo, Dominque Dominguez (John), Bianca Aguayo, SSG Ashley Traxler (ETN3 Grace Thorud), and Killian Walsh; brothers Joe Aguayo, Manuel Aguayo (Carmen), and George Aguayo (Micaela); sister Rosario Aguayo (Sandra); and numerous nephews, nieces, and great-grandchildren.
Funeral services are under the direction of Ortiz Mortuary, 3114 Culebra, San Antonio, Texas 78228.
Public viewing will be held on Sunday, March 1, 2020 at Ortiz Mortuary, 3114 Culebra, San Antonio, Texas from 1 P.M. to 7 P.M. and a Rosary at 7 P.M. A Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, March 2, 2020 at 11 A.M. at St. Paul’s Catholic Church, 350 Sutton Drive, San Antonio, Texas 78228. Aguayo will be cremated and buried at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas at a date and time to be designated.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made on his behalf to the Veterans of Foreign Wars at: https://www.vfw.org/
Luis A. Aguayo will be greatly missed. The Lord has called upon his ace pitcher to join his team. Rest In Peace, Coach Louie Aguayo and Comrade Aguayo.
