Raymond L. Telles

April 9, 1998

Raymond L. Telles. First Hispanic elected mayor of a major city - El Paso - in the United States.

Telles became mayor in 1957, the largest Texas border city with Mexico and the fifth largest city in Texas. In 1959 he was re-elected mayor without opposition. While mayor, the Telles family was the subject of a Department of State film. Titled, "One Day's Activities of Mayor Telles and Family," it was shown in countries of Central and South America. He, his wife and daughters speak, read and write Spanish fluently.

In 1961 he accepted an appointment as U.S. Ambassador to Costa Rica by President Kennedy.

Telles had been elected county clerk in 1948 and re-elected in 1950, 1952 and 1954 without opposition.

Telles was presented with the humanitarian award by the Black El Paso Democrats at its 16th annual Political Awareness banquet Feb. 28 during African-American History Month.

The Raymond L. Telles Academy public school was named for him by the El Paso school district.

He was born and raised in El Paso, graduated from Cathedral High School and International Business College, attended the University of Texas at El Paso, was called into service by the Army, became a veteran of World War II and the Korean War, and retired in 1975 as a colonel in the U.S. Air Force. He completed 34 years of active and reserve duty.

While he was in the Air Force, he was chief of the Lend-Lease program for Mexico and countries of Central and South America. He later served in Mexico as U.S. Air Force liaison officer and adviser to the commanding general of the Mexican Air Force.

Telles served under six presidential administrations.

Raymond Telles photo gallery

Comments

[Michael B. Johnson-Kazanjian]

My name is Michael Benjamin Johnson-Kazanjian, son of Elissa and Dick - Cia Numar///Chiquita-United Fruit Co. in Costa Rica. We are very good friends of the Telles family and I want to get back in touch with them after many years of no contact. As a little boy of 4, in my dad's arms, I met and shook hands with John F Kennedy on the front lawn of the US Embassy residence in Santa Anna, along-side 'Uncle Ray'. Please, if you can help me contact the family, have them email me at [email protected] or reg mail: PO Box 1191 - Chandler, TX 75758. My meesg ph c/o Rev. Richard Prather: 903-539-2414 Thanks!

[michael b johnson-kazanjian]

This message[the posted one] is for the Telles Family from Michael B. Johnson-Kazanjian: Uncle Ray, Tia Delfina, Patsy, and Cynthia

[Michael B Johnson-Kazanjian]

I'm trying to post this in San Diego, CA
Michael B. Johnson-Kazanjian -- [email protected]

[LARISSA FLORES]

:) I am very pleased with this information, and not just that I can't belive that this man runs for things without oppisition! He must be a good man.

[calis clubb]

i am also very pleased

[Michael B Johnson-Kazanjian]

This is a brief update by Michael B. johnson-Kazanjian--
I've still heard nothing from anyone re: my Uncle Ray, Tia Delfina or the Telles family. My updated cell no. is 903-805-5908, this is my business no.; please leave a mssg if you can contribute any information. Thank you kindly.
***** I don't understand the last 3 comments?!?