Biography: Ed Mendez, Master Sergeant (Retired), 62, of Little Rock, AR and San Antonio, TX died suddenly Monday after a brief illness, surrounded by his loving wife, children, mother and sister. Ed was born July 14, 1947 in Laredo, Texas to Alicia Mendez and the late Edward Mendez. Ed was a retired US Army Infantryman giving 24 years of service with the rank of Master Sergeant. His Army career included 9 years of Foreign Service with two tours in Vietnam. He is survived by his wife Stephanie Swann-Mendez of Little Rock, AR and San Antonio, Tx, his mother Alicia Mendez of San Antonio, Tx, children Michelle Parker (Rick) of Georgia, Brenden Mendez of Los Angeles, CA, Erin Zander (Tye) of Germany, and Jason McDonald of Little Rock, AR. He has two sisters, Cindy Baughn-Cole (Bob) of San Antonio, TX, and Veronica Denzer (Walter) of San Antonio, and two brothers Andy Mendez and George Mendez (Kathy). His grandchildren were the joy of his life and include Ricky and Sarah Parker of Georgia, and Aiden, Zo¸, and Brady Zander of Germany. A celebration of his life will be held Thursday from 6:30-7:30pm at Ruebel Funeral Home in Little Rock, AR followed by interment of his cremations Monday June 21, 2010 at 930 a.m. in Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery, San Antonio, TX. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made in his honor to the Disabled American Veterans Association or the Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc. Arrangements are under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com