Jesus Kiko Francisco Guzman Sr.

Some people are born with everything handed to them but leave the world with nothing to show for their living. This was not the case for Mr. Jesus Francisco Guzman, Sr. who, born in poverty in 1925, left this world a richer man; his wealth residing not in money but in the beautiful family he raised and the many good friends he created.

Born in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, México, "Kiko", as he was known by family and friends, was raised there by his Grandmother Mónica Ramirez viuda de Guzmán and his aunt María Antonia Guzmán on Colombia Street. His grandmother and his aunt sold corn tortillas to make a living. Kiko had 5 half-siblings: Elvira, Monica, David, Alma and Miguel.

As a young child, Jesus Guzman grew to be a strong and honorable man on the streets of Ciudad Juarez, picking up skills in construction. Raised with a strong work ethic, he worked hard from an early age to help provide for his family, whom he loved very much. Up until their death, he would often take his children to visit their grandparents and other family members in Ciudad Juarez.

Tile-setting was his principal trade, in which he was known as a "maestro", with his work often going beyond the level of craftsman to that of an artist. He took great pride in saying that he guaranteed his work for as long as he lived. In fact, to this day, one can see many fine examples of his tile-work on storefronts, sidewalks and homes throughout the Southwest area.

One of his proudest accomplishments was building the Bronco Drive-In Theater horse’s head with illuminated red eyes in 1950 with some of his work "compadres". Although this El Paso theater closed in 1975, the horse’s head, designed by Luis Jimenez, Sr. and built of cement and steel armature, still stands at the entrance to the Bronco Fleamarket. It is considered an El Paso landmark.

He was also involved in supervising many large construction projects such as the Tigua Indian Speaking Rock Casino, Chevron Gas Stations in El Paso, racetracks in New Mexico and restaurants for the Jordan Hotels Chain.

Extremely intelligent, he was a handsome man with movie star features. Always the sharp dresser, he opted for cowboy boots, 10X Stetsons, and bolo ties. He liked good whiskey as well as Camel and Lucky Strike cigarettes (but would sometimes roll his own cigarettes). In his later years, he was known and recognized by his trademark feature - a long, white mustache and beard.

Adventurous, and passionate about everything, he tried his hand at bullfighting, as well as stock car and motorcycle racing. In his spare time, he liked playing with his children, playing cards, fishing, and going to wrestling matches. As a student of all things western, he was a regular at gun shows and kept a good collection of turquoise and silver jewelry, and knives and pistols, as well as buckles and sheriff's badges.

But his real hobby, and sometimes a necessity, was mechanics. He had an inherent ability to repair cars almost by intuition. That ability extended from simple jobs such as replacing brakes, radiators and carburetors to rebuilding transmissions and motors. He was also proficient at welding and body work. Today, all his children seem to have inherited those skills.

Possessing strong interpersonal skills, Kiko was a natural leader whose winning presence allowed him to take control of various situations with ease. Equipped with a clear and calculating focus, he possessed a tough-minded, “take charge” attitude. He was optimistic in his outlook on life and was able at all times to be open and direct in his communication. He had the ability to make even routine situations seem exciting, and he was at ease with the role of playing problem solver. Kiko always sought out the scene of where the action was. Sociable, analytical and pleasant, Kiko was an individual who enjoyed life’s challenges.

Kiko was the kind of person who could win others over easily. An excellent communicator, he was always able to express himself well. Armed with a great wit, he was always able to provide amusing repartee to his friends and acquaintances, offering a seemingly endless supply of quips, anecdotes, jokes and stories. Quite the fascinating storyteller, you never knew when he was stretching the truth!

He was a kind man with a big heart who loved to help anyone in need. He would often deliver clothing and food to his family and to orphanages in Juarez. He loved all animals, especially dogs and horses but in his later years, it was not unusual to see him sitting outside feeding the birds.

But although he could be a gentle man, he never shied away from taking a stand and defending his position or defending those he loved. No hypocrite, there never was a question of where he stood as he tended to view things as right or wrong, weak or strong. At six foot-one, his piercing eyes let others know he was a man who would back up his words with action. Kiko had a strong desire to be treated fairly and with respect; in turn, he would readily offer others the same fairness and respect.

He met his future wife, Beatríz Eugenia García while she was living in a rented room in the same house in which he and his grandmother and his mother lived. One day, he invited her to a wrestling match and started dating her. Because Beatríz was Catholic and some in his family were of another religion, they did not want him to date her, much less to marry her.

But they married anyway; once in a civil ceremony in El Paso and then again, halfway on the International Bridge so that his mother, “Abuelita Facunda”, could witness and bless their wedding. In April 1968, they were married in the Catholic Church of San Juan Bautista in El Paso. Their marriage lasted 65 years!

During his marriage, he fathered and raised nine children: Beatríz, Maria Adela, Jesus Jr., Victor Manuel, Gérman, Paul, Alicia, David, and Walterio. In addition to his children, he also lived to see his 18 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.

During World War II, when he enlisted in the U. S. Army, Beatríz moved in with her mother, “Buelita Blasa”, on Campbell Street in the Second Ward of El Paso until his return. Following the birth of the first five children, Beatríz, Adela, Jesus, Jr. Victor Manuel and Germán, the family moved to Deming, New Mexico where Kiko got a job setting tile in motels being built on I-10. For a while they lived in a small RV trailer until, with his bare hands, he built Beatríz the house he had promised her. By this time, with the birth of Paul, the family had grown by one more.

Then, following work in construction, he moved the family to Lordsburg, New Mexico for about a year.

About 1958, the family returned to El Paso. They lived in several neighborhoods throughout the city of El Paso before settling in "El Barrio de San Juan" across from San Juan Bautista Catholic Church. During this period, the last of of his children, Alicia, David and Walterio, were born. Later, he bought a house a block away on Dailey Street, where he peacefully lived out the rest of his years with his loving wife, watching his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren grow.

He loved his children. He always said that he had a large family because he never wanted his children to feel alone. With a strong hand, he dedicated all his energies to teaching them those values which he believed were necessary for a successful life. Those values included respect for the property of others, respect for elders and mothers, respect for the flag, respect for hard labor and respect for oneself. Because, he said, he had moved to the United States so that his children could have a better life than his, he always encouraged his children to pursue an education.

He enjoyed spending time with his children. He would often take them to picnics at Azcarate Lake or to Washington Park where they would break open a cold watermelon. Or he would take them for evenings at Azcarate Drive-in, watching old-time movies of Pedro Infante, Cantinflas and Lucha Villa although sometimes he’d share in some "American" movies like Hercules and Beach Blanket Bingo with Annette Funicello or maybe even a scary Dracula movie. He would fly kites with his children, repair their bicycles and build go-karts for them. On holidays, he would barbecue steaks or build a bonfire in the backyard to toast hot dogs and marshmallows, always with some of his favorite music in the background, which ranged from Gene Autrey and Hank Williams to Mario Lanza and and, of course, his favorite Big Band sounds.

As much as he loved his children, he loved his wife. There are few loves in this world as sweet and solid as the love between Kiko and his wife, Beatríz. At times, he would bring her flowers for no reason at all, or take her out for a “date”. She still remembers how excited they were when Fats Domino came into town and they went to his concert.

The children recall memories of seeing their parents kiss, hold hands, laugh, dance and sing together. One of their favorite past-times was to sit together and share “las canciones viejas”, the old songs, with him playing the guitar while she played the harmonica, or harmonizing their voices in "a Capella" or perhaps just listening to the radio. In later years, after their children had grown, it was not unusual for the two of them to get into his truck and just drive out into the neighboring farmlands or mountains for an entire day.

She was his soul-mate and knew his feelings and thoughts intimately, sometimes finishing his sentences for him. Whenever the problems of the world started getting to Kiko, Beatríz would bring him peace again with a caress, a joke and a smile. And she always loved him enough to let him be himself.

The world is made less by the passing of Jesus Francisco Guzman, Sr., but the world was made even greater by his passing through it…and he left his legacy in his children. His passing, then, is not a time for regret but rather, for appreciation of this man and the time he spent with us.

Mr. Guzman left this world in the Spring of 2010 and, in gratitude for his service to his country, was laid to rest at Ft. Bliss National Cemetery. May he rest in eternal peace.

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