Esequiel Gutierrez Ceja

Esequiel Gutierrez Ceja, 89, also known as DAD, Grandpa, Frank, Guero, Cheque, Chief, Master Crafter and My Friend, has gone to join his Heavenly Father, his father Pedro Gil Ceja, his mother, Micol Gutierrez Sandoval, sister, Magdalena Nunez, brothers, Richard and Manuel Sandoval on March 12, 2015. He is survived by his daughter, Emma Jean Ceja, son, Jimmy Ray Ceja (Mary), grandson Chase Ceja, brother Ray Sandoval (Lucia), sister-in-law Patsy Sandoval and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Esequiel was born July 29, 1925 in Shepherd, Michigan. As a young child he came with his parents to Corpus Christi to visit family and never left. His father was killed in a car accident when Esequiel was seven. He started working as a young boy delivering groceries by bicycle to help out his mother. During a delivery, he was hit by a truck and was badly injured. He recovered by sheer determination. This strong willpower has helped him pull through many serious accidents, situations and illnesses during his lifetime.

Esequiel has had many vocations in life. He was a jack-of-all-trades. He could fix just about anything. He also served his country during the Korean Conflict from 1950-1952. As a young man, he worked as a short order cook at Wimpi’s Burgers and ended up owning the small restaurant. He’s always has an entrepreneurial spirit. He was also a good cook and was known for this Three Way Chili. During his lifetime he has had many jobs and owned several businesses including a gas station, small engine repair, and dump truck service. In 1980, he retired to Tecolote Ranch in Alice, Texas on a few acres he owned. He loved raising goats, cows and chickens. Later he became involved in arts and crafts with his daughter. He’s always been creative so this was the perfect fit. He built a workshop and sold crafts at Made by Hand, Creations and Codi’s in Corpus Christi as well as Seller’s Market in Kingsville, a craft shop in Alice and also participated in craft shows in Kingsville. He was an astute businessman and loved selling his creations.

Esequiel was most proud of his son and daughter and their accomplishments. He was proud that his children had gone to college and were successful. He leaves a legacy of love, hard work, determination and belief in Jesus Christ as our Savior along with a natural curiosity for life and all it encompasses. He will always be loved and remains with us in spirit and will forever stay in our hearts.

A visitation will be held on Monday, March 16, 2015 at Memory Gardens Funeral Home from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. with a prayer service at 7 p.m. that same evening.

A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, March 17, 2015 at Memory Gardens Funeral Home at 10 a.m. with interment to follow at Memory Gardens Cemetery.