By Brian Argabright
The 830 Times
Friends, family members and fellow civic servants are mourning the death of former city councilman and school board member Alfredo “Fred” Contreras.
Contreras, 49, passed away Friday, Sept. 16, in San Antonio after a lengthy battle with cancer. According to his obituary, Contreras is survived by his wife Alejandra Campos Cardenas; his mother Rosa Contreras; daughter Krysten Contreras; son Carlos Alfredo Contreras; sister Narcedalia Escareño Contreras; brother-in-law Ramon Escareño, Jr.; and nieces Andrea and Amanda Escareño.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, September 20, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Sunset Memorial Oaks Funeral Home.
A Chapel service will be held Wednesday, September 21, at 10 a.m. at Sunset Memorial Oaks Funeral Home.
Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Oaks Cemetery.
A 1991 graduate of Del Rio High School, Contreras’ career had always been in some kind of public service. He worked with the United States Postal Service from 1991 to 1994 before leaving to work with Central Power and Light. He worked there until 1998 when he returned to the postal service and remained with that group, eventually being named postmaster of Del Rio’s post offices in 2017. He accepted a similar role in Eagle Pass a few years later.
Contreras began his political career in 2010 after difficulties in opening a private business with his father led him to seek change for the community via the Del Rio City Council. He ran for and was elected to the At-Large, Place C seat on the council in 2010. He was re-elected in 2014. After his time on the council, Contreras successfully ran for a seat on the San Felipe Del Rio Board of Trustees and was seated in 2018. He served one term with the school board before opting not to seek re-election.
In May he sought a return to the council by running for mayor. He finished third out of four candidates.
Al Arreola, who defeated Contreras and three other people for the mayoral seat, was endorsed by Contreras during Arreola’s runoff against Virgil Armstrong and looked back at his former friend fondly.
“My family and I were incredibly saddened to hear of the passing of Alfredo “Fred” Contreras. Fred was a great community servant, always willing to help those in need, and will be tremendously missed. We send our most heartfelt condolences to the Contreras family during this difficult time. May God give you the strength. Fly high, my friend,” Arreola wrote.
Contreras’ former colleagues on the city council and school board expressed their condolences in the days since his passing while many Del Rioans shared stories about Contreras and his service to the community.
“Rest In Peace Councilman Alfredo Contreras, my Friend and City Council Colleague. Thank you for your commitment to serve our city and your passion for the growth of our Community. Prayers for strength for his Family during this difficult time. Always remembered, never forgotten. Te nos adelantaste Fred,” former councilwoman Elizabeth “Liz” Elizalde de Calderon wrote on Facebook.
“My deepest condolences to the family of Alfredo “Fred’ Contreras. Del Río has lost a true friend and pillar in our community. Fred served 8 years as a Del Rio City Council member & 4 years as a member of our local public school board. I had the privilege of serving with Fred on the City Council during my term as Mayor. Fred’s love and devotion to our community was unquestionable, endless and unsurpassed. He was instrumental in developing, approving and implementing countless projects to benefit our city,” former mayor, and current Texas Senate candidate, Robert Garza posted on social media.
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