Roel Medina died unexpectedly at his home this past Saturday, July 30. He was 55.
Medina, whose career spanned four decades in Texas broadcasting, had been the General Manager of Azteca América’s KYAZ-TV in Houston since 2012.
“He was a brilliant, beloved leader, not only for Azteca, but also within the entire Texas television community, which knew him so well and for so long,” Azteca Station Group EVP Enrique Perez said in a statement.
Prior to joining Azteca Houston, Medina spent 12 years at Telemundo as General Manager in Houston, Dallas and San Antonio. He previously worked for Univision as Director of Marketing and Creative at KXLN in Houston and Station Manager at KUVN in Dallas.
Before embarking in a career in Spanish-language broadcasting, Medina was Director of Station Operations and Creative Sales Marketing at KDAF-TV, the Fox station in Dallas from 1983 to 1993. He also worked at KRLD-TV (Metromedia) in Dallas in news operations and marketing and in news operations at KZTV-TV (CBS) in Corpus Christi from 1978 to 1983.
He is survived by his wife, Vanessa, and three children: Madison and Colt, and Brittany Garza.
Viewing is set for this Friday, August 5 from 5:30 to 8 pm at Katy Funeral Home on Kingsland Rd and 99 in Katy, Tx. Funeral services are pending.
A memorial fund was set up to benefit his wife, Vanessa and their children. For who wish to contribute, here’s the link:
https://www.youcaring.com/vanessa-medina-madison-medina-and-colt-medina-616260#.V6K9c0GGWjs.email
A relative says an earlier report provided by a family friend that Medina collapsed while doing yard work at home is incorrect.
Roel tenía una capacidad envidiable para reconocer talento, recibirlo con los brazos abiertos y nutrirlo a través del tiempo. Decenas de profesionales le deben sus comienzos o su crecimiento en la industria de la televisión en Español. Muchos de nosotros le quedaremos eternamente agradecidos.
Sad sad news. I felt Roel saw how hard and passionate I worked and personally recommended me to my current boss on his own without me asking him to do so. I will always be thankful for that. R.I.P.
This is devastating news for all of us who had the honor of calling Roel our boss, mentor and friend. As Ana Maria stated before, he had the capacity not only to recognize talent, but to encourage and take great care of his “discoveries” throughout our career paths, even if we were no longer working for him. He was an amazing man, father, boss, TV executive, Christian, and he deserved so much better than the cards he was dealt in the last years of his life. My prayers go out to Vanessa and their kids to stay strong for dad: he would have done so for you and did. I know Ro is with our Heavenly Father, getting his eternal reward of peace and justice. God bless you all.
In Memory of Roel Medina
Memorial for Roel will be held
Katy Funeral Home
August 5, 2016 from 1pm-8pm
23350 Kingsland Blvd.
Katy, TX 77494
Funeral will be held
Memorial Oaks
August 6, 2016
@ 2pm
If there are loved ones wanting to send condolences, cards or anything of that nature. Please send to:
Medina & Family
1926 Lake Fountain Drive
Katy, TX. 77494
I love my uncle very much. It saddens me that this was so unexpected. He was such a great person and role model for me growing up and i forever cherish that. Praying for my aunt and cousins in this difficult time. Love yall.