Eduardo Guerrero Avila

Eduardo (Edward) Guerrero Avila

March 6, 1985 - November 9, 2017

Edward Guerrero Avila, 32, of La Quinta California passed away on November 9, 2017. Edward was born on March 6, 1985 in Altus, Oklahoma. He was a loving father, son and brother. As a child, Edward grew up in Indio, Ca living with his grandparents Alvaro and Lupe Avila and his mother Patty until 1997. Although Patty was a single parent, Edward was surrounded with love and stability. He had the strong family support of his grandparents, aunts and uncles. Jerry and Dora Jimenez, Joe and Angie Hamner, Rosie and Donny Hibbits and his uncle David Avila were all positive role models and central to his life. This was the base from which he learned values and the strong unbreakable bonds of family. Later on in life Edward gained two more additional role models, Steve and Margaret Nieto who also provided a positive influence in his life.

Edward would go on to carry these traits and apply them to his family and friends for the rest of his life. Edward had particularly strong bonds with and cared genuinely for all his cousins - Lynda, Donny, Darlene, Lorenzo, Melanie, Stephen, Nick, Claudia, David, Stephanie, Michael, Chelsea, Johnny and Larry. He was extremely proud of his sister Brittaney (Little Juice) because of her determination to excel in college and everything she did. Edward affectionately called his little sister Sera "Baby Juice" with him being the big brother and therefore calling himself "Big Juice." He deeply admired her free spirit and loving ways. Edward had a special place in his heart for his mother and even at the age of 32 he still called her "Momma."

Edward moved to La Quinta, CA in 1998 with his mother and new dad Herman. Edward went to Indio Middle school where he joined band as a percussionist. His friends started calling him "Eddie" at La Quinta High School where he graduated in 2003. He enjoyed cross country and the hands-on of behind the scene stage production.

After high school he worked at various jobs in the valley - La Quinta Cliffhouse Grill & Bar, JC Penny and Der Wiener Schnitzel. He became the local neighborhood barber shop working out of the garage as "El Pachico's Barber Shop" where he practiced his craft of cutting and dying hair at no charge.

Edward served in the Army from 2004-2014. He graduated out of boot camp at Fort Knox, Kentucky in 2005 where he received the General George S. Patton Jr. Award. He was stationed for several years at Fort Hood, Killeen, Texas and the remainder of his service out of Fort Carson in Colorado Springs, Co. Before leaving for duty, Edward married his high school sweetheart Amanda Esquivel and had a beautiful son named Eduardo Elijah Guerrero Avila. Edward deployed to the Middle East in 2005 where he served two tours in Iraq and one in Afghanistan.

When Edward returned to the Coachella Valley, he enrolled at the International School of Beauty in Palm Desert, Ca where he was studying to become a barber, a dream of his since the age of fourteen. He fell right into place and was well received by his classmates. Edward loved to talk about everything he was learning and how great the people were. While he was there, he made a lot of friends, many of which spoke very highly of him. They expressed the great loss and pain they felt at his passing and in a true act of benevolence the school had a fundraiser in his honor. Edward logged in 900 hours of the 1500 hours required. He was well on track to realize his dream and obtain his certificate.

One of Edward's greatest joys was spending time with his son Elijah. He would read to him and made it a point along with Amanda to teach Elijah his nightly prayers. In-N-Out burger was their favorite place to eat. He loved dressing him sharply and taking him to the park, the mall, biking, hiking, miniature golf and going to the movies or just simply chillin' out at home with their dog "Einstein."

Edward left behind a lot of family and friends. He also left behind a beautiful son Elijah. It is our job to keep and share our memories of Edward so they will not fade away with time. It is our job to do this especially for Elijah…

Edward is survived by his son Elijah and former wife Amanda Avila both of La Quinta, CA, parents Herman and Patricia Nieto, sisters Brittaney and Sera Nieto, all of La Quinta, CA , father Marcelino Leyva Guerrero of Coachella, CA, brother Jimmy Felix of Helendale, CA and sister Preziela Guerrero of Phoenix, AZ.

Visitation will be held at "Forest Lawn Chapel" located at 82-975 Requa Ave, Indio, CA on Tuesday, November 28, 2017 from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm with a Rosary at 6:00 pm Mass will held at 10:00 am on Wednesday, November 29, 2017 at "Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church" located at 82-470 Bliss Ave, Indio, CA. A reception celebrating Edward's life will be held after mass at 2:00 pm on Wednesday, November 29, 2017 at the "Eagles Lodge" located at 46-425 Tyler St., Coachella, CA. Burial will be on Thursday, November 30, 2017 at the Riverside National Cemetery located at 22-495 Van Buren Boulevard, Riverside, CA. Burial services will commence promptly at 10:00 am. Service conducted by Forest Lawn Indio.