Tributes

Javier (Javi) Aaron Guerra, as he was affectionately known, 54 years of age born in San Antonio, Texas on July 19, 1970 passed away at St. Luke’s Baptist Hospital in San Antonio during the second week of Advent signifying the peace brought by Jesus, the "Prince of Peace" as described in the Bible, on a Sunday evening, December 8, which is a Catholic observance of the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, that is, her privilege of being conceived free of Original Sin. After dedicated service of 26 years, Javi, an Associate Professor of Mathematics, leaves behind an inspiring legacy of teaching, mentorship, and unwavering devotion to students, Northwest Vista College, Alamo College District, Southwest Legacy High School, and the El Carmen Catholic Church community. Javi is the beloved son of Jesus Vidal and Juanita Guerra, loving husband of Gloria Guerra, terrific father of Jacob Anthony Guerra, supportive brother of Jessica Rocha, cherished nephew of Rosario Esquivel and colleague and friend to so many. Javier is survived by the following aunts and uncles and their extended families: Mr. and Mrs. Fernando and Sandra Guerra from Laredo, TX, Mr. and Mrs. Vidal and Terry Guerra from Corpus Christi, Mr. and Mrs. Francisco and Elena Guerra from Los Alamos, New Mexico, Mr. and Mrs. Tomas and Julie Garcia from Pflugerville, TX, Mr. and Mrs. Cesar and Ana Maria Ojeda of Los Almos, NM, Jose Guerra of Laredo, TX and Margarita Pachecho of San Antonio. Javier graduated from Harlandale High School in 1988 and was voted most congenial. He earned his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Mathematics/Statistics at the University of Texas at San Antonio by 1993. Javier also worked as an adjunct faculty member at St. Philip’s College & Southwest Campus from 1994-1997 as well as at Texas A & M San Antonio from 2008-2011. Javier served as a Southwest Legacy High School Band Booster from 2017-2022. Javier, a parishioner of El Carmen Catholic Church, served the community as a Eucharistic Minister and sacristan, who prepares the vessels for use during the Saturday Vigil Mass for the Catholic priest. Javi was amongst the first Northwest Vista College (NVC) faculty members and an invaluable founding member of the mathematics department, who was renowned for his commitment to helping students succeed. His contributions were instrumental to the success of numerous initiatives, such as the Gender Equity in Math and Science (GEMS) project, Math Intensive Majors (MIM) grant, PLUS+STEM project, Transfer Academy for Tomorrow's Engineers (TATE) initiative, Title V Latino Teacher Academic Learning Community (TALC) project, and the UTSA PREP Program. Javi was a kind, generous, and compassionate individual who embodied NVC's core values, most notably joy and caring. His infectious smile and warm spirit will be deeply missed. Please honor Javi's memory and extend heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and loved ones. Deepest sympathies are extended to Javi’s wife, Gloria, a faculty member at St. Philip's College, and their son, Jacob, a Spring 2024 NVC Associate of Arts and Associate of Science graduate, who transferred in Fall 2024 to Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas, and is a member of the Goin’ Band from Raiderland trombone player. Javier is the kind Uncle of loved nieces and nephews: Alexander Joseph and Melina Alessandra Rocha, Mikayla R., Mariano R. & Marcela R. Garcia, Gabriel Isaiah and Gabriel Elisha Longoria, and Alejandro and Nicholas Contreras. In keeping with Javier's loving and generous spirit, it was Javi's decision to donate life so that others may live. Javi, a gift of life registered donor, extended his precious gift of tissue and corneal donation through the South Texas Blood & Tissue and the San Antonio Eye Bank so that he may touch the lives of at least 76 men, women, and children affected by deliberating diseases and injuries and in need of a lifesaving or life-enhancing transplant and the gift of sight. Javier's legacy will continue to live on in others. May the thought of Javier's gift bring comfort to our hearts. Following Javi's healing example, then please consider becoming a registered donor in memory of beloved Javier Aaron Guerra at donatelifetexas.org. Visitation will be held at Mission Park Funeral Chapels South on Friday, January 10, 2025, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM with the praying of the Chaplet of Divine Mercy to begin at 6:30 PM and will be led by Jenny Guevara. The visitation will extend to Saturday, January 11, 2025, from 8:30 AM to 10:00 AM at 1700 SE Military Drive San Antonio, TX 78214 followed with a funeral procession with police escorts to El Carmen Catholic Church 18555 Leal Road, San Antonio, Texas 78221 on January 11, 2025, for the praying of the Holy Rosary led by the Guadalupana Society at 10:30 AM. Javier's Requiem Mass will be held at El Carmen Catholic Church on January 11, 2025, at 11 AM with Reverend Jose F. Puente-Flores of St. Benedict Catholic Church officiating. Our Lady of the Lake Alumni Catholic Choir is honoring Javier at his Christian Burial Mass with the gift of music offering solace and recounting the faithfulness of God. Burial will follow at El Carmen Cemetery, a historical marker tied to burials of casualties of the Battle of Medina, and the burial will be officiated by Deacon Alberto Rodriguez at Noon with the Mariachi Internacional celebrating Javi's life lived with joy and love to include the release of three doves by Amazing Grace Doves followed by one additional dove symbolizing the Holy Trinity (The Father, Son, & the Holy Spirit) accompanying the departed (beloved Javi) to Heaven. A 1:30 PM catered luncheon in the Activity Center to include a Celebration of Life toast and video tribute to Javier "Javi" Aaron Guerra.

Tributes

Javier (Javi) Aaron Guerra

July 19, 1970 - December 8, 2024