Gregory  Luna

LUNA, GREGORY (1932 ~ 1999). Gregory Luna was born November 17, 1932 in New Braunfels, Texas. Senator Luna was the youngest of 17 children. His father, who was a trucker, died when Luna was just 7 months old. His mother moved the family to San Antonio's West Side when Luna was 3.

At 11, he got his first job, as a busboy in a restaurant. Luna also worked as a grocery store sacker before getting a job in the San Antonio Express mailroom at age 14. After graduating from Lanier High School with honors, Luna enrolled in San Antonio College. Two years later, he entered Trinity University but dropped out after a semester when he ran out of funds. Luna joined the Army in 1953 but never went overseas. Instead, he spent his entire military career working in an anti-aircraft radar unit in Pittsburgh.

Like most men of his generation, Luna financed his college education with the G. I. Bill. He returned to Trinity, attended school part-time and worked full-time at the San Antonio Police Department.

He got his degree in five years, and after passing the bar exam, Luna resigned from the Police Department and joined the city's legal department as a municipal court prosecutor.

He later went into private practice.

In 1984, Luna was elected to the Texas Legislature by defeating incumbent Joe Gamez with more than 60 percent of the vote. Luna was a state representative from 1985 to 1993.

Luna focused on school finance and education during his four terms in the Texas House of Representatives and two terms in the Senate.

In the Senate, he was vice chairman of the Education Committee and of the Special Committee on Veterans Affairs and Military Installations.

He also served on the Jurisprudence and State Affairs committees. He was chairman of the Senate Hispanic Caucus.

Obituary from the San Antonio Express-News November 8, 1999.