HOUSTON -- A high school custodian who was shot to death in his front yard in southwest Houston was laid to rest on Thursday, KPRC Local 2 reported.

Beltazar Quezada, 45, was outside his house with his family in the 12400 block of Centre Court at about 6:15 p.m. on Sunday when an unknown man walked up. He and Quezada had a confrontation and the man shot Quezada, police said.

The shooter fled on foot.

Quezada was a custodian at Elsik High School in the Alief Independent School District.

Blue ribbons now adorn the school in Quezada's honor.

"He loved Elsik High School. He was proud to work there, so it's just our way of … in memory of him and all of his work and his love for all of us," said Hilda Rodriguez, Elsik's principal.

Rodriguez delivered the news to students and staff on Monday morning.

"That is the hardest thing for a principal to to do, to bring your staff together and to let them know that someone of your family has passed away. That was a very hard moment for me," she said.

Students, friends and family said goodbye to Quezada at a funeral on Thursday.

His children include a daughter in Alief ISD and two sons, including a veteran of the Iraq war and a sheriff's deputy in Fort Bend County.

Deputies led the funeral procession.

"I could go on forever about Beltazar -- his infectious laugh, his humor. But most of all, I think that people need to know that anyone can be a leader. Anyone can leave an impact. And he's affected many lives," a mourner said.

Houston police hope tips can help them find the killer. Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.