Father’s Day isn’t just about honoring the men we call Dad but also the values they pass down to their children, grandchildren, and everyone they meet. We recently spoke with one of our residents who embodies the essence of fatherhood every day.
Between his one-and-a-half-mile morning walk and late afternoon laps in our five-lane, Olympic-size saltwater pool, Fidel E. talked with us about the things that matter most to him—family, community, and giving back. And, as if on cue, he began by saying, “You can call me Papa.”
Despite a long and distinguished career as a neurologist, Fidel has no airs about him—and that, he says, is exactly what he and his wife Eppie love about everyone at our San Antonio senior living community.
MAKING FRIENDS AND MUSIC
When the couple moved to our independent living community’s West Campus more than 25 years ago, they weren’t sure what to expect. But on day two, a knock on their door assured them Blue Skies is where they belong. “We chose one of the larger duplexes so we could fit my baby grand,” Fidel recalls. “A neighbor saw the piano being delivered, and the next day he knocked on my door with a harmonica in hand and said, ‘Hi, I’m Tom. Can we jam?’ Then he added, ‘But only in the key of C.’”
The two musicians got to talking, and Fidel was shocked to learn that Tom was a retired four-star general. “Knowing about the community’s rich military history, we had a bit of apprehension, wondering whether we’d fit in,” Fidel admits. “And here comes this four-star general, standing at my door, wanting to play music. At that moment, all our concerns were gone.”
What followed were countless similar experiences. “People here are very friendly. They call you by your first name and introduce themselves the same way, with no mention of rank. Everyone is just so welcoming and pleasant. At first, we thought it was a put-on,” he admits. “But it quickly became obvious: this is a special place.”
The casual conversations and get-togethers with other residents evolved into deep, lasting friendships—ones built on shared values of service, community, and mutual respect. “The culture here is rooted in caring for each other,” Fidel explains. “Tom reminded me that’s the basis of military service. And regardless of our backgrounds, it’s something we all share.”
TAKING CARE OF OUR OWN
Fidel and Eppie have four children and seven grandchildren spread across the country. Despite the miles between them, they are all very close. “My grandson is my traveling buddy, and our six granddaughters love me and my wife unconditionally; we just can’t do anything wrong. It’s heart-melting. We’re just Papa and Mama to them,” Fidel says. “We get together for graduations and family trips. And every year we have a family reunion, which we’ve been doing since they were babies.”
One of the family’s favorite traditions is our annual golf tournament, which supports Freedom House, our memory care community. What began as a simple event for Fidel and Eppie has grown into a full-blown family affair—complete with custom shirts, banners, and golf carts bearing their family logo designed by their daughter. “Each year, more family members join the festivities, and each year, Eppie is in her glory,” Fidel says. “Last year, we had a caravan of four golf carts, and it seems like every year our group continues to grow.”
LIVING LIFE TO THE FULLEST
Fidel and Eppie are proof that at Blue Skies of Texas, aging doesn’t mean slowing down. Eppie participates in twice-weekly golf games, sings in two choirs, and tends to four garden plots. Fidel fills his days swimming, playing music, walking, and connecting with neighbors. “There’s so much to do here, my goodness gracious, you can’t possibly do it all,” Fidel says. Knowing their parents (and grandparents) are staying active and engaged in their community brings peace of mind to the family. “We told our children when we moved here: ‘We won’t be a burden to you.’ And they didn’t believe us—that is, until they visited.”
“We’re blessed,” he says. “Not just with our family—and friends who have become like family—but with the peace of mind we enjoy every day. We don’t have any worries. Our expenses are fixed and predictable. Before, we paid insurance and taxes and had to hire people to service our home and grounds. Here, everything is taken care of. If I need something done, I pick up the phone and it’s covered.” With less time spent on home maintenance and chores, the couple has more time to live their best lives.
ENJOYING ALL LIFE’S RICHES
Fidel and Eppie understand that true riches don’t come from how much money you have but from how much love. “We’re not Rockefellers, but the love we have from our children and grandchildren, there’s nothing like it. That’s our wealth,” Fidel says.
Despite a demanding career, Fidel reflects deeply on fatherhood and what it means now. “I wasn’t always there when the kids were young,” he says, “but I always tried to make up for it. To me, fatherhood is looking into the eyes of your children and loving them, addressing their needs, and providing as best you can.”
His children and grandchildren feel that love and reciprocate it. As we end our conversation with Fidel, he looks at the digital photo frame that sits beside his chair, smiles, and says, “It’s our whole life on display—from our wedding day to recent graduations. I never get tired of it.”
CELEBRATING FAMILY, FRIENDSHIP, AND FREEDOM AT BLUE SKIES
On Father’s Day and every day, we celebrate our resident “Papa” and all the fathers, grandfathers, and father figures in our community who share their values, love, and service with others. Schedule a tour and see for yourself what makes Blue Skies of Texas one of the premier senior living communities in San Antonio and why we’re ranked #1 in Texas and #7 in the country in Newsweek’s 2025 ranking of America’s Best Continuing Care Retirement Communities. Call 866-553-5389.
