Mel, as he was called by many, was born on January 6, 1956 in Manabo, Abra, Philippines to Salvador and Rosa Gayao. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in 1975 from Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila and acquired his Law Degree from the Ateneo de Manila University on March 27, 1980 and passed the Philippine bar exam on the same year. He is a member of the Fraternal Order of Utopia. On March 29, 1980 he married his college sweetheart Milagros (Mila) Jugueta. Mel worked at the Bliss Development Corporation as Legal Specialist and was the Director of Legal Department at the Economic Support Fund/Office of the President of the Philippines in Manila before he migrated to the United States of America in 1991. He also passed the New York Bar Exam in 2003 and a member of the New York Bar Association. He worked at the Exxon Mobil and Pennzoil Law Departments and was also practicing immigration law. He was a very dedicated member and leader of the Couples for Christ (CFC) Community and a Board Member of ANCOP Foundation USA, a ministry for the poor of Couples for Christ. He used to be the CFC Area/Chapter Head for Texas and CFC Area Coordinator for Louisiana. He was also the National Coordinator of CFC Servant of the Lord (SOLD) Ministry. Mel spent most of his weekends doing mission works and CFC activities aside from spending joyful moments with his children, grandchildren and close relatives. He enjoyed reading, watching news and political issues and singing karaoke.
Mel is survived by his wife Mila, three sons, Michael, Marvin and Mark and the only girl and his princess, Margarette Anne, five grandchildren, Aidan, Evan, Maddie, Chloe and Lea, adopted grandchildren, Justin, Lana, Iverson & Ivery, daughters-in-law, Alison, Linda and Anisa, son-in-law to be, Alain Ranay, brothers, Arturo and Elmer Sr., several nieces and nephews and the surviving Gayao and Jugueta clans who loved him so dearly. He was preceded in death by his parents, Salvador and Rosa, brothers, Leonardo (Boy), Rodor (Rudy) and his sister, Melba.
The viewing/prayers/visitation service, will be held at Earthman Southwest Funeral Home, 12555 South Kirkwood Stafford, TX 77477 on the following days:
• Tuesday, June 19 - from 4:00 to 8:00 pm with Novena & Prayer Service at 6:00 pm
• Wednesday, June 20 – visitation from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm w/ Novena & Prayer Service at 6:00 pm
A celebration of life/funeral mass will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday, June 21 at Notre Dame Catholic Church, 7720 Boone Road Houston, TX 77072, Reverend Edmund Eduarte.
Cards and show of support may be sent to:
Mila Gayao
18131 Mossy Creek Lane
Richmond, Texas 77407
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