Domingo Gutierrez Canlas, Jr.

Domingo Gutierrez Canlas, Jr. was born in Bacolor, Pampanga, Philippines on April 12, 1943, and passed away in Houston, Texas on October 21, 2020.

From his son’s perspective:

Dad’s life was a prime example of faith, adaptability, duty to family/friends.  He was follower of Jesus Christ, a husband, father, grandfather, a father in law, an original member of Christ the Good Shepherd Catholic Church, and many other things to all of you.

The people that knew him best identified him as Domingo, Junior, Jun, Kuya, Honey, Dad, GranDi, GranPi, Tito Jun, Uncle Jun, John, Pare, Kong Jun, Engineer Canlas, Manong Jun, Ninong Jun, Mr. Domingo.

He grew up with a rather larger family, 10 brothers and 4 sisters and numerous other cousins.  He worked professionally as an engineer.  Engineer Canlas he was called.

Knowing his economic opportunities were limited at home,  he pursued the American Dream.  The United States of America granted him passage, he got his “green card” in 1969.  He boarded a plane traveled more than 8,000 miles, left everything he understood behind, and on his birthday April 12, 1969 he arrived and started his new life in America.

He started in St. Louis, MO, but it was too cold for him.  His American story really starts in Port Arthur, Nederland, and Galveston.  Port Arthur gave him his first job, at the local shipyard. In Galveston, he met the love of his life, Susie Blanco Pintor, a nurse from the Philippines, at the University of Texas Medical Branch. They got married in Nederland, Texas.  They were partners for life, Susie never left his side.

On February 28, 1972 their first-born Richard Martin Pintor Canlas joined them.  On November 17, 1976, Paula Sue Pintor Canlas joined us. Soon after, he moved his family to Klein, Texas, his permanent home.  My father instilled in us some very very important principles, follow Jesus Christ your Lord and Savior, respect and love your family and friends no matter what, & study hard, work hard, as you must make your own way.  Nonetheless, in the background, my father was always there to make sure we made it.

Shortly before my sister was born many of Dad’s siblings came to the United States.  Unbeknown to me at the time, my Dad had a plan to give as many of his siblings as he could the America Dream, he wanted them to have a better economic future, more than half of his siblings made it to the United States.  The Canlas family line in America has grown exponentially from there.  Dad’s love for his family meant all of you, you know who you are there is not enough space for me to list everyone.  He wants yall to remember that his favorite time of the year was Fiesta Sta. Rita time.  It will bring him great joy for us to continue the family tradition from his native Pampanga.

March 2000, Dad suffered a major stroke.  I remember when the priest came and read him his last rights, I remember when my uncles and aunt could not stop crying because we thought my dad was gone. But God had a different plan for Dad.   He recovered, but lost the full use of the right side of his body.  Our prayers were answered.  Dad talked again, just a bit slower, walked again just with a limp, drove again just with a mechanical assist, and worked again with my mom by his side. It brough him great joy to experience the birth and young life of his beloved grandson “Richie” & to walk his daughter down the aisle and pass her on to his beloved new son Myles. He lived a full life.

My dad was never a quitter, he worked hard, and if that did not work, he adapted.  He came to America as a trained and experienced engineer, he started in the shipping industry and when that started to disappear, he went to the oil field as an engineer, when oil went bust in the 1980’s he re-tooled and became a real estate broker, when real estate hit rock bottom, he reinvented himself and found his last profession.  This is where he positively touched the lives of hundreds if not thousands of people, he made his living to his last breath by providing advise on life insurance and financial service products to help people protect their loved ones, save money, and prepare for the future.

Dad developed many lasting friendships over the years, there are way too many to list.  He is the most popular person I have I have ever known.  Y'all helped him transition in America, help him communicate when he could not, played cards, mahjong, slots, shared meals, drink & jovial conversation, prayed with him, and assisted with his professional endeavors.

Although my dad very rarely expressed his emotions with words he loved his family and friends very very much.  My dad communicated more profoundly with his action than his words.  His time on earth has expired, just know he has found his peace, smiling on us all, as he will soon join his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

My Dad loved the Philippines, especially Pampanga. He took great interest in finding a way to improve the lives of the poor.  Over the last 10 years he developed a foundation at his old high school, now a local university, Don Honorio Ventura State University, to fully fund the education expenses of select needy students.  Through Engineer Domingo Canlas Scholarship Foundation, Inc., he connected with old friends and the administration to continuously fully support eight students until the completion of their college degrees.

Dad loves the United States of America, loves Texas, and is very grateful for the opportunities that his adopted country and state have given him and his family.

_________

He is preceded in death by his parents, Domingo Canlas, Sr. and Maria Gutierrez Canlas, and his brother, Jaime Canlas.

Domingo is survived by his loving wife, Susie Pintor Canlas; his children, Richard Martin Pintor Canlas, and Paula Sue Canlas Mcclelland and husband Myles; grandson, Richard Martin LeBlanc Canlas, II; siblings, Mila Libios, Lolita Misa, Rodolfo Canlas, Edilberto Canlas, Eloy Canlas, Angelina Saturno, Rosario Obligar, Gil Canlas, Gerry Canlas, Sergio Canlas, Ricardo Canlas, Apolinario Canlas, and Froilan Canlas; and many additional nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Domingo’s family would like to extend special thanks to the staff at Methodist Willowbrook Hospital for all of their care and assistance.

Domingo’s family invites everyone to join in by livestream for the Novena Prayer at 4pm on Thursday, October 29, 2020 (link to be posted soon).  In-person attendance will be limited by invitation only, due to covid restrictions.

In person visitation will be held from 5-8 pm on Thursday, October 29, 2020 at Klein Funeral Home, 16131 Champion Forest Drive, Spring, Texas 77379. 

The Funeral mass for Domingo will be held at 11am on Friday, October 30, 2020 at Christ The Good Shepherd Catholic Church, in person attendance is restricted to invitation only due to COVID-19 restrictions

Burial will immediately follow at Klein Memorial Park on FM2920 which is open to all.

The family politely asks that you keep the attendance restrictions due to covid in mind, and limit your time present during the visitation so that all friends and loved ones get a chance to pay their respects.  Face coverings are required for entrance to all buildings where services are held.

 

ALL OF THE ABOVE EVENTS may be viewed live through the following links:

 

Prayer Service (Thursday, October 29, 2020 at 4pm) : https://youtu.be/50dBA1dAiqQ 

Funeral Mass (Friday, October 30, 2020 at 11am) : https://vimeo.com/473069699/7848360896

Graveside Service (Friday, October 30, 2020 estimated 12:30pm, following funeral mass) : https://youtu.be/fxUpIQLqXXU