Juan (John) Guzman Castillo

Juan (John) Guzman Castillo
Juan (John) Guzman Castillo

Juan (John) Guzman Castillo, from Midland, Texas, left this life to be with the Almighty Father on December 5, 2020, in McAllen, Texas at the age of 74.

Rosary will be said at 6:30 P.M., Thursday, December 10, 2020, in the Boxwell Brothers Ivy Chapel. Mass will be at 11:00 A.M., Friday, December 11, 2020, at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Amarillo, Texas. John Castillo will be laid to rest at Memory Gardens Cemetery in Amarillo, Texas. Funeral arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors and the celebrant is Father Anthony Neusch of St. Mary’s Cathedral both of Amarillo.

John was born June 14, 1946, in Encinal, Texas to Sixto and Teodora Castillo. His siblings, Sixto Jr., Dora Martinez, and twins, Jose and Jorge Castillo grew up on a small ranch outside Roaring Springs, Texas. John attended and graduated from Roaring Springs High School in 1965, where he passionately played basketball, baseball, football and ran track for the Yellow Jackets. He was voted High School Sweetheart, was active in the FFA, and earned All-State Honors for 6-man football in Texas.

After high school, John proudly enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and valiantly served as a Corporal, in the infantry, during the Vietnam War in 1966, and then was honorably discharged in 1974. He often represented his deep-seated American pride with Marine memorabilia and honored annual holidays, such as Veterans Day and Flag Day. John returned to Texas and serendipitously met his soulmate, Gloria Escoto Castillo in 1969 in Amarillo. John and Gloria were married on August 7, 1971, at Our Lady de Guadalupe Catholic Church in Amarillo, Texas. The couple celebrated 49 years of marriage this year and often attribute their long marriage to deep devotion, compromise, and honesty. In recent times, they vigorously traveled across Texas visiting friends and family in their Cadillac.

In 1980, John graduated from West Texas A & M in Canyon, Texas with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. In 1981, John and his family moved to Midland, Texas where he became an accountant at RK Petroleum and worked loyally in the same office for 40 years. During this time in Midland, he was active at the YMCA, where he fervently played basketball and ran long-distance races. He watched and coached all three kids in competitive sports at Midland High School. John marveled in the delight of his children. His family attended St. Ann’s Catholic Church for the sacraments, and during the latter part of his career, he ritually visited Our Lady de Guadalupe Catholic Church at lunch daily. John had a deep faith in God, especially in the Virgin Mary. Every year, his family would travel to the Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan de Valle in San Juan, Texas to acknowledge the miraculous blessing of children into their lives in 1977. John had just returned from the annual pilgrimage on November 6th.

Interlaced throughout this time, was his undying love for golf. He competed and won numerous golf tournaments including, P.A.G.A. First Flight 1st Place in 1979, Nike Tour PRO-AM Classic-Mayor’s Cup Runner-up in 1999, won the 2005 Senior Charity Classic, placed 3rd for the Chicano Golf Association in 2009, was the Green Tree Champion for Senior Gross in 2013 and the Ranchland Blowout winner in 2019. John teed off freshly-cut driveways and against the pink, West Texas sun at dusk with his buddies at Green Tree Country Club up until his last days. He will forever be remembered for his pearly, white smile, strong-stature, and “get-up-and-go” attitude.

Survivors include his wife, Gloria Escoto Castillo, Sonia Renee Castillo and grandson, Sage Cruz White of the home; his only son Juan Jesus Castillo, Jr. with grandsons, Jacob, Joshua and Jovani Castillo of Midland, Texas; youngest daughter, Claudia Ana and Frank Mendez with granddaughters, AnaLucia, Natalia and expectant grandson of San Antonio, Texas; brother, Sixto Jr. Castillo of Amarillo, Texas; sister, Dora Martinez of San Antonio, Texas; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, family members, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Sixto and Teodora Castillo, brothers Jose Castillo and Jorge Castillo.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Wounded Warrior Project or the Guadalupe Radio Network. We would like to thank the McAllen Medical Unit in McAllen, Texas, Green Tree Country Club, and Our Lady of Guadalupe Church of Midland, Texas.

A special thank you to his golf brothers: Vince Carlisle, Tim Green, John Moffett, Gary Malloy, Steve Hammel, David Pine, and Bobby Welborn, who endearingly called him “Vato” and spent countless afternoons chasing birdies.

14 Replies to “Juan (John) Guzman Castillo”

  1. Thank you for your comments. My mom and I reread his obituary and reflect on how many people he impacted. There are so many people who loved my dad. He is missed every moment of every day.

  2. Sir, I never met you, but I have had the pleasure of being friends with your fabulous daughter, and, anyone who could raise such a wonderful spirit as she, tells me that you HAD to be as terrific as she made you out to be, each time she talked about you, as well as her Mom… thank you for that beautiful daughter of yours! What a treasure your whole family was. You indeed left this world a better place. You have earned your rest.

  3. Our condolences to Gloria and your family for the passing of Juan. We are very sorry to hear the loss of your husband. May God give you strength during this difficult time.

    Where there is Faith, there is Hope
    Where there is Hope, there is Peace
    Where there is Peace, there is Love
    Where there is Love, there is God.
    Where there is God, there is no need.

    May he Rest In Peace 🙏🏼❤️

  4. First of all, we are all going to miss John Castillo very much but I knew John well so I know he has a place in Heaven waiting!!. He was a great friend that would give you the shirt off his back. One of his favorite sayings was I’m a giver not a taker. I bet his family can all attest to that. He was very dedicated to his country and job. Although, he was most dedicated to Gloria & the kids & Grand Kids. He might have been tough but he would do anything for his family. He loved you guys very much!!! Lord please Bless this family until they see John again in Heaven.

  5. Our deepest condolences to Gloria and all your family. Ya’ll have always been so special to our family! Juan will be greatly missed. Praying for comfort and peace during this very difficult time.🙏❤

  6. Gloria,
    Our deepest condolence to you and your family during this time of sorrow. May your loving memories of your beloved Juan ease your heartache and bring you comfort and peace.

    Sincerely,
    Luis & Mary Jane
    Martinez

  7. Nuestras condolencias a su familia,
    Juan fue una gran persona, muy estimado por la familia Risas, y estará en nuestras oraciones como también su familia, para que Dios les de prona su recignacion,
    DEP y brille para Juan la luz perpetua.🌹

  8. I had the privilege to meet Vato some twenty years ago, and our special bond was both golf and both being Vietnam Veterans. He and I would often speak of our experiences in our Marine and Navy careers, with booming pride from both of us. We played golf together at Greentree CC, usually battling together from all comers. His winning smile and laugh were contagious, and it was impossible to be without love for this big burly lovable bear! I also found how “goosy” he was, he would jump 3 feet in the air! I will sincerely miss his warm sincere humor and his undying love for his family. Personally, it will take a very long time for me to get over the fact that we will never stride down the fairways together. I’m tearing up a little, so I’ll sign off, but just to say that I truly loved “ Vato”, and I will miss him terribly! Semper Fi!

  9. Our sincere condolences to the Castillo and Escoto families. John was always a very respectful man as well as always very easygoing. May he Rest In Peace. Arturo y Rosie Ornelas

  10. Troy and I loved Vato, there is no doubt. The more important thing is my children loved Vato. Especially my 16 year old. He loved playing in his group and asked to play in his group. The most important leaders in my children’s lives, as a parent, are the natural leaders. The ones that inspire my children, lead them to be good young men, on and off the playing field. Most times, these great leaders do not even realize they do it. I believe that is because it is who they are not something they do. I will forever be greatful for the time we got, my children got, to call him ours.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *