GILBERT GUERRERO Jr.

1960 - 2017

Gilbert Guerrero, Jr., 56, of Kansas City, MO, Senior Vice President of Cultural Events and Youth Services for Guadalupe Center died February 3, 2017, at St. Luke's Hospital on the Plaza. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 4 p.m. Friday, Feb. 24, at Sacred Heart/Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, 2544 Madison, Kansas City, MO 64108. In lieu of flowers, the family request contributions to the Gilbert Guerrero Scholarship Fund, c/o the Guadalupe Center, 1015 Avenida Cesar E. Chavez, Kansas City, MO 64108. Gilbert was a role model, advocate, bridge builder, leader, spokesman, and pillar of the Latino community. Gilbert was born August 5, 1960, in Topeka, KS, to Gilbert Munoz Guerrero, Sr. and Josefina Ramirez Guerrero. He graduated from Hayden High School in 1978. He went on to earn a BA in Political Science and Pre-Law from Washburn University in Topeka and a Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Kansas State University in Manhattan, KS. He is also a graduate of the Center for Creative Leadership in Loyola, CA. Gilbert began his professional career as a community organizer at El Centro Servicos para Hispanos in Topeka, KS. He also did a Senate internship with Senator Bob Dole of Kansas in Washington, D.C. After college he went to work for the LULAC National Service Center in Kansas City. While in that position he was a key organizer for the Greater Kansas City Hispanic Scholarship Fund. In 1985 Gilbert went on to work for the Guadalupe Center, Inc. as its first Education Specialist. He has been responsible for the development of the Plaza de Ninos Early Childhood Educations program, The Academia de Pueblo Enrichment Program, the Alta Vista High and Middle Schools and the Academia de Ninos Inc. Elementary Charter School. Gilbert has been awarded the El Centro Outstanding Community Service Award, The Guadalupe Centers Dorothy Gallagher Award, Pioneer Recognition from the National Council of La Raza for Project Excel, The Kansas City Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Humanitarian of the Year, Alumni of the Year LULAC National Education Service Center and 2013 Evelyn Wasserstrom Award. Gilbert was preceded in death by his father, Gilbert Guerrero, Sr. Gilbert's survivors include his mother, Josefina Ramirez Guerrero, Topeka, KS; his wife, Elizabeth Sitze Guerrero, Kansas City, MO; his children, Alegria and Angelo Guerrero, San Antonio, TX; his brothers, John Guerrero (Jan) Salina, KS, Francisco Guerrero, Topeka, KS and Luis Guerrero (Tessa), Topeka, KS; too many extended family members, friends in the Hispanic community and Greater Kansas City to count. Fond memories and condolences may be shared at mcgilleymidtownchapel.com McGilley Midtown Chapel, Dignity Memorial, Life Well Celebrated