Luis Lou G. Guzman

Luis “Lou” G. Guzman was born on August 25, 1942 in McAllen, TX to Lorenzo (Lencho) and Severena (Tita) Guzman. He was raised with two older brothers, Chano and Eloy, older sister, Lucia and younger brother, Mateo. The boys would spend summers working on their Don Quirino’s farm. But there was also fun and danger to be had when they would spend time playing and causing not a little mischief in the packing sheds of McAllen. These were brothers who fiercely took care of each other and their family.

Luis graduated from McAllen High School in 1961 and joined the United States Air Force that same year.

After meeting Margie on a chance blind date in 1964, they exchanged wedding vows at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Edinburg, TX on May 23, 1965. They were blessed with three children, Eloy, Adrienne and Michael.

Lou’s first duty station was at Cannon AFB, NM. He also did tours in Iran 63-64, was stationed in Thailand 66-67 during the Vietnam War, Philippines 77-78, and did temporary duty in Guam, Turkey, and Greenland. He spent most of his military service however at Randolph AFB, TX where he retired as MSgt in Oct 1987. He received numerous awards, medals and ribbons for his service; AF Longevity Service Award Ribbon with Five Oak Leaf Clusters, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, AF Presidential Unit Citation, AF Commendation Medal, Meritorious Service Medal and many more. He was not only well liked but respected by the officers he served under and the airmen he worked with. To many of these airmen who were so far from home he was a father figure. He talked many into finishing school and going to OTS to become officers. He proudly served his country for 26 years.

After the Air Force Lou joined the ranks of the Civil Service and was doubly blessed to remain at Randolph AFB. He received multiple Civilian of the Quarter awards for the years 1991 through 2004. He also received the Civilian Logistics Professional Performer for Randolph Air Force Base in 2000.

He was a die hard Dallas Cowboys and San Antonio Spurs fan! Many have said that if you cut the man he would bleed Air Force Blue, but it could definitely be argued that some of that would be Cowboy Blue and Spurs Silver!

Family and friends will also remember him as a master in front of a barbecue pit!!! His fajitas, chicken leg quarters and ribs were out of this world. And of course any pot of beans that he made would not last long nor would his winter season menudo! He was always very active and health conscious. He worked hard to make his yard and gardens look perfect and spent a lot of time at the gym lifting weights, playing racquetball, softball, and running.

Lou aka Pops, Grampa, Grandpa and Dig Pop LOVED his grand babies! He worked as hard at this as anything he ever did as a young man! Horse rides on his back, wheelbarrow rides, filling the pool with warm water from the sink one bucket at a time. Wrestling, tickling, football games, soccer games, karate lessons, dance recitals.

Luis passed away on February 10, 2017 at his home in Schertz, TX after fighting a brave battle against cancer. He was preceded in death by his parents, his son Michael, and his parents-in-law. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Margie; son Eloy E. and wife Josie and their children David, Anne, Elizabeth and Eloy E. II; daughter Adrienne and husband Damian Cox and their children Tara (Marty Benavidez) Devon, Ani and Nathanael; great-grandchildren Jacob (Binks), Matthew, Makinley and soon to be born great-grandson in April; sister Lucia (Arthur Hernandez deceased); brothers Chano, Eloy, and Mateo, and numerous nieces and nephews.