Roberto Guzman, III

ROBERTO FRANCISCO SEBASTIAN GUZMAN

FEBRUARY 3, 1975 - MAY 11, 2016

Roberto Francisco Sebastian Guzmn walked into the house of the Lord on Wednesday, May 11, 2016. He was welcomed into the loving arms of his father, grandparents, great grandparents, aunts, uncles, and his nephew, Jude.

Roberto was preceded in death by his father, Roberto Guzmn, Jr., paternal grandparents Roberto and Mary Garza Guzmn, paternal great-grandparents Reyes and Juanita Padilla Garza, Francisco and Clotilde Allen Guzmn, maternal grandparents Celedonio and Delia Ramirez Perez, maternal great grandparents Francisco and Rosa Barrera Ramirez, Juan and Rafaela Gonzalez Perez. Uncles and aunts Maria Rosa Ramirez, Isabel Ramirez, Honorato Ramirez, Francisca and Gilberto Munoz, Corina and Jose Segura, Edmundo, Cesareo, Lisandro Ramirez, and nephew Jude.

He is survived by his mother Aurora Margarita, sister Analaura and brother in law Michael, Aunts, uncles, and cousins Stella and Jose Luis Longoria, Denise Longoria, Cordy and Manuel Lara III, Manuel IV, Christina, and Clarissa Lara, Joe and Karina Longoria, Marco and Elizabeth Longoria, Marco Jr., Rosa Natalia Longoria, Liza Guzman, Rosa Delia and Armando Huerta, Rose and Jason Kiker, Victoria and Julianne Kiker, Maria Teresa and Raul Hinojosa, Alfonso Hinojosa, Teresa and Alonzo Ramos, Analis Ramos, Delia and Rick Mendez, Daniela, Diego, and Ricardo Mendez.

At a young age, Roberto demonstrated his charismatic approach to politics. At the age of 8 he became Senator Zaffirini's "youngest supporter" and his devotion turned into friendship. Their friendship survived the years and he always communicated with her and her staff until the end. He thought the world of her.

He was always voted as class president and leader of his peers. While at Lamar he was the Student Council President. His sponsor, M.T. Hinojosa rejoices in remembrance of his hard work, perseverance, and special ability to motivate students to unite in carrying out activities for their school. M.T. adds, "I sincerely thank God for allowing him to work at my side and enrich my life."

He also excelled at UIL. His coach Ellie Hernandez can talk for hours about his great oratory skills and the trophies he brought home. As he grew to become a great artist, Ellie followed his career and expressed her love for his work. His literature teacher, Carmen Santos, recalls Roberto's zest for life as seen through his beautiful eyes. Yolanda Davila Garcia adds, "He had such a big heart and was such a caring young man that he always thought about everyone else's pain and sorrow."

His education included a Bachelor of Arts degree from Goddard College in Vermont and a Master's degree from Parsons in New York City where, as usual, he made life-long friends. His friends from Vermont include Manuel O'Neill who introduced him to Bernie Sanders, governor of the state, and another close friend, David Halé, who said, "We lost a good one."

Roberto had great success in life. It started at the age of 18 with the Ferguson Award from San Francisco, California, and followed with numerous exhibitions in New York, Vermont, San Antonio, Austin, McAllen, and Laredo. He was always thinking of new ideas for his art. While living in New York his artwork was commissioned for the official X-Files TV Guide web site, and followed by numerous exhibitions there.

Thus began his lifelong love affair with the world of art. He was a freelance multi-media artist, a contractual account executive for Artizen Visual Communications Group in California, an Event Coordinator for Intermedia Group in Vermont, where he presented unique multi-media installations at all his presentations. He pioneered the use of 3D in paintings with his use of multifaceted colors and presented it at SXSW Interactive in Austin, Texas.

His artwork was always accompanied by poetry and lengthy writings. He was versatile both in his use of different medias and in his use of the written language in both English and Spanish. This versatility and talent made him excel and be admired. He was selected for several "by invitation only "exhibits which made him part of a select group of artists from all over the United States. His group of friends and admirers of his work included the United States and other countries. One of his latest contributions to the art world was in Italy where his art together with his poetry were included.

Not content with just art and poetry, he also excelled at creating musical selections. He was gifted since the early age of 3 at playing the violin. He added to this natural ability inherited from his maternal grandmother, Wela Nena, by learning to play the piano and guitar, and recently added original songs to his music for his artistic presentations.

Roberto was truly a Renaissance Man. His latest art grants include the Stephen King Haven Foundation, the Adolph and Esther Gottlieb Foundation, and others.

The family will receive friends and relatives on Tuesday, May 17, 2016 at Joe Jackson Heights Funeral Chapels, 719 Loring at Cortez from 4 to 9 p.m.; where a Vigil for the Deceased and Rosary shall be held at 7 p.m. with Deacon Joe Longoria officiating.

A Mass of Resurrection will be held on Wednesday, May 18, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. at San Agustin Cathedral; Rev. Msgr. James Harris, celebrant. The funeral procession will depart the funeral chapel at 9:30 a.m.

All services will conclude after the mass.

You are invited to extend your condolences to the family at: www.joejacksonfuneralchapels.com as well as visit the artist's page at: www.animapress.com/robertoguzman

Arrangements are under the care and direction of the funeral service professionals at Joe Jackson Heights Funeral Chapels, 719 Loring at Cortez, Laredo, TX 78040, 956.722.0001