Alberto Nino Jr

Alberto Nino Jr. ("Al" or "Tino"), a 31-year Las Vegas resident, went home to be with the Lord on July 2, 2013. At the young age of 58, Al succumbed to an aggressive, metastatic kidney cancer less than two months after receiving the diagnosis. Al was born on January 17, 1955, to Sylvia and Alberto Nino Sr. in Harlingen, Texas. He was the third child and eldest son of twelve siblings. Al proudly graduated from Harlingen High School in 1972. He joined the United States Air Force in September 1974 and was stationed at Bergstrom Air Force Base in Austin, Texas. In May 1975, Al and Mary Ann Moody were married at St. Benedict's Catholic Church in San Benito, Texas. A year and a half later, Al was deployed to Bitburg, Germany, where he served for three years. In July 1978, Al and Mary Ann were blessed with their first child, a daughter they named Leslie. During his time in Germany, Al fulfilled a promise he had made to his paternal grandmother a�" to connect with his uncle's family, who had moved to northern Germany after his uncle's passing. Al formed a lifelong connection with his cousins, Angela and Annette, along with their families. Upon his return to the United States in May 1979, Al was reassigned to Bergstrom Air Force Base, but only a few years later, the Air Force issued Al relocation orders to help execute a classified military project in the remote Nevada desert. With a new baby on the way, leaving loved ones in Texas was difficult for the young family. Despite this, the family arrived at Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas during the summer of 1982. In November of that year, Al and Mary Ann welcomed their son, Jonathan. After 20 twenty years of service to his country, Al retired honorably from the Air Force in 1994. His military service included supporting the elite 4450th Tactical Group, the "Nighthawks," which developed the world's first stealth fighter bomber, the F-117A. Al was also deployed to the United Arab Emirates during the Persian Gulf War in 1990-91 as part of Operation Desert Shield/Storm. Throughout his distinguished military career, Al received numerous decorations, medals, and citations, including the following: Joint Service Commendation Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal, a Humanitarian Service Medal, and Meritorious Service Medal, amongst others. After retiring, Al was able to spend time on his interests and hobbies, such as karaoke, fishing, and photography. He also loved studying languages and spoke English, Spanish, German, and French. However, his favorite pastime was technology and computers, which he converted into a profession in marketing for the microprocessor manufacturer, Intel, and in telecommunications for the Imperial Palace Hotel and Casino. Although Al and Mary Ann divorced in 1997, they remained dear friends and continued to co-parent and support their two children. Many of Al's happiest moments centered around his children, including the birth of Leslie's son - Austin, Jonathan's brave military service as a United States Marine, and Leslie's graduation from college and law school. He was eagerly anticipating seeing Jonathan graduate with a bachelor's degree in finance from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas this coming December. Extended family and friends were also very important to Al. His son and daughter's friends looked up to him as a father figure and often became part of his extended family. Al was also man of great faith, a strong Christian, and a member of the Canyon Ridge Christian Church. As the end drew near, Al relied on the many promises our Savior conveyed in scripture for comfort. One passage stands out a�" John 14:1-3 (NIV): "Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also." Al is survived by his daughter, Leslie Nino Piro (John); son, Jonathan Nino (Desiree); grandson, Austin Heese; parents, Sylvia and Alberto Nino Sr.; siblings, Corina Serrato, Betty Gonzalez (John), Elizabeth Martinez, Diana Sylvia Pantoja (Angel), Mary Esther Basaldua (Jerry), Joanna Nino, Joseph Gavino Nino (Tyanne), Nino Von Nino (Maria), Angela Marie Nino (Renee), and Laura Ann Leal (Miguel); as well as a large extended family. He was preceded in death by his brother, Nolbert Nino; sister, Lydia Salazar; nephew, Francisco Ricardo Salazar; brother-in-law, Rolando Serrato; aunt, Elena Davis; and cousins, Richard Nino Jr. and Angela Thiess. Al spent his final days in the compassionate care of the Nathan Adelson Hospice; thus, donations in his memory can be made to: Nathan Adelson Hospice 4141 Swenson Street Las Vegas, Nevada 89169 Family and friends are encouraged to sign an online memorial guestbook at: www.bouldercityfamilymortuary.com.