Margarito G. Guzman

Margarito Garza Guzman was born on September 25th, 1935 to Margarito Guzman and Emilia Garza in Edinburg Texas. On January 1st, 2021, at the age of 85, he went home to rest in the arms of our Savior Jesus Christ, after succumbing to a long bout with Covid.

Margarito lived a challenging life. He was an only child and was raised by his grandparents Maria Cano and Jose de Los Santos Garza after his parents passed away very early in his youth. He had a very modest upbringing, growing up in the backwoods outside of Edinburg. His education was limited as he strived to support his family by pursuing the many harvests to make ends meet. He worked in numerous locations throughout Texas, Arkansas, and Michigan picking cotton and various produce. This would lead him to the orange packing sheds in Edinburg Texas where he would ultimately expand his skills as a carpenter in various construction activities. He was adept at building new skills and found himself working on his first truck, a red 1946 Chevy pickup with black fenders. The love and care for his truck laid the groundwork for his developing skills as a mechanic.

It was during these times that he met the love of his life, Rosemary Rodriguez, at the Alameda movie theater in Edinburg. He fondly recalled sitting behind her and pulling on her long black hair. Neither remembers the movie, but he definitely captured the attention of his lifelong companion. Life would separate them as they each pursued seasonal farm work throughout the west. He sought her out across the country and found her working in the vineyards in the San Joaquin Valley. He successfully wooed over his fair maiden and married her in 1957. They celebrated over 63 years of marriage, raising two daughters and a son.

They remained in the Fresno area where they both worked as farm laborers, living in tents and amongst friends. They took residence in a small ranch house between Mendota and Tranquillity for 13 years and finally moved to their home in Mendota where they have resided since 1971. He grew his skills as a farm machinery mechanic and utilized his talents to work for Newhall Land & Farm, CalStar, and Hertz Equipment Rentals, eventually becoming a Shop Foreman. Dad always took the time to do things right and was recognized for his abilities and dedication to his work and quality of workmanship.

He loved to fish, ever since he was a child, and would often go to the river and canals around the Mendota area in search of bass and stripers, bringing home many a meal. He was an avid gardener, loved to work on the house and autos and an active parishioner at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. Always tinkering and self enriching, he even taught himself how to play the guitar. He loved playing games, whether on the computer or with family in a game of dominos (Mexican Train/Joey) and loved watching and playing with his grandchildren.

His dedication to his family and support thereof are qualities that will always be admired. His love of God, his wife, and family are immeasurable. He is predeceased by his parents and grandparents Margarito Guzman and Martina Martinez and his grandson Felix Morales Jr. He is survived by his loving wife and soul mate Rosemary, his children Rosemary Morales, Margarito Guzman IV, and Linda Wilcox, his grandchildren, Marisa Morales, Micaela, Margarito V and Maveric Guzman, Johnny and Sierra Wilcox and loving daughter-in-law Sylvia Marie Ochoa-Guzman and son-in-law Felix Morales along with his extended family in Texas and California.

The family extends our thanks to the doctors and nurses at Clovis Community Hospital who were highly supportive of our father’s care and made available our daily “Zoom” calls with dad.

Margarito’s life will be celebrated on January 20th with a funeral mass at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Mendota at 10 am and, due to Covid-19 restrictions, followed by a private graveside service at St. Peter’s Catholic Cemetery in Fresno.

We will always miss our husband, father, grandfather and friend. He is with a greater calling, an angel of God and will watch over us as he did in his earthly existence…we are blessed, thank you Lord Jesus.