Ralph Bartolo Guevara

Ralph B. Guevara of Freeland, Michigan

Beloved Father, Son, Brother, Uncle, and Friend, Ralph Bartolo Guevara, (Ralphie, Wolfo, Wolfie, Bart,) passed away on March 16 2026 surrounded by family and loved ones,17 days after his last pickleball game.

Ralph was a wonderfully gentle, friendly and easy-going soul who delighted in all things sports, music, family and fun. He loved life and grabbed it with gusto. At one time or another Ralphie was an avid camper, gardener, instigator, baller, co-conspirator and pickleballer.

Ralph’s love of sports was the stuff of legends. Gameday for Ralph involved multiple TV’s and game day rituals involving Lions gear including Zumba pants, jersey, and flying the lionsflag. Pancakes prior to the game indicated a win was in the offing. Of course, Ralph’s “Cons” (converse shoes) were always part of Ralph’s permanent outfit. Tigers, Red Wings, Pistons, CMU women’s basketball, Michigan State and any University of Michigan sports team, he cheered for them all. But it was his love for the Lions that really stood out; who else in 2016 ties their facial hair to a playoff win? Each year starting with training camp Ralph was tuned in to the ups and downs of the franchise. He truly bled Honolulu Blue and Silver.

Ralph’s passion for sports began when he was a kid. With two competitive older sisters he had to grow his way out of getting posted up by his big sister, Sue and working hard to keep up on the baseball diamond. Ralph loved the comradery of sports, whether softball, bowling, or his more recently beloved pickleball, he delighted in the friendly competition and easy friendships that grew from time together in whatever competition was available. Ralph was always up to meet up after the game to share a beverage and commiserate about the win or the loss.

Ralph was proud of his 31 years served at GM, but when the opportunity to retire early came up, he was all in for spending more time at home with his boys. Nothing was more important to Ralph than family. Both his immediate family, sons Ralph (Bubs), Antonio (deceased), Vincent, and Scott, and his large, extended family were his joy. Ralph’s dedication to family was most evident in his steadfast commitment to raising his boys at various times as a single parent. Family life included living room nerf wars, front yard football battles, and soul satisfying chicken soup. He delighted in his annual vegetable garden, producing enough veggies for both the Houlihan and Guevara families. No small feat given all of the aunts, uncles and cousins connected to the two families. Ralphie’s various iterations of his chilí were coveted by family and friends and known by their vintage, with 2012 a particularly good, scorchingly hot, year. Arguably his best dish was his enchiladas, made with loving care for every family event. They were always the first dishes to disappear at gatherings.

Never one to miss a family gathering, and first to volunteer his time, talents and energy, Ralph thrived in his time with friends and family. With his white beard, shock of white hair and twinkling eyes he was the quintessential Santa Claus at family gathering. Ralph loved games of all sorts but was particularly fond of Euchre. He honed his euchre skills during breaks at the shop, where playing fast during their 30-minute lunch was the priority. It was almost like a guaranteed win if you were lucky enough to have Ralph as your euchre partner.

Particularly during his early married life Ralph enjoyed spending time outdoors camping and canoeing with friends and family at Higgins Lake and East Tawas. He took pride in his big brother role taking his nine-year-old sister Amos and little three-year-old brother Ramon on their first camping trip.

Ralph loved all things music. Attending concerts, jams on the radio and dancing; he loved it all. He took great joy in sharing his love for music with his little sister Teezer, taking her to her first rock and roll show. He continued to regularly seek out and enjoy live music with friends and family. Ralph had a prodigious memory for all things music and invariably won the ongoing family contest to see who could “name that tune”, recalling not only the name of the tune but also the artist and year it was released. Even the most obscure songs didn’t escape his notice. For the rest of his life, Ralphie’s early fun times dancing with his sister Julie, to Sam the Shame and the Pharaohs Wooly Bully fed his joy for moving to the beat.

More recently with his boys grown and moving on, Ralph found new community, comradery and love in his pickleball family at the Freeland Sports Zone, and driving bus for Freeland Public Schools. His family is indeed appreciative of the friendship they have provided Ralph in these last several years, and particularly in the last few months.

Ralph was preceded in death by his son Antonio, his Mother Ann E. Houlihan, Father Ralph M. Guevara and first wife, Deb (Trezona) Guevara. Ralph is survived by his oldest son Ralph P. Guevara, Vincent Guevara (Alyssa), Scott Guevara, loving stepmother Elena R. Guevara, Sisters Sue Guevara (Mary Stanbra), Julie Guevara (David Lehker), Marytherese Guevara-Schmidt (Kurt Schmidt), Amy Rice (Chris) and Ramon Guevara (Michelle), Cathy (Halas) Guevara (mother to Vincent and Scott, divorced) and many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and dear friends.

A world of thanks to the wonderful Heartland Hospice Team for their care and dedication to our dear Ralph. As an alternative to flowers please consider a donation to Habitat for Humanity at 315 West Holland Ave. Saginaw Mi 48602.

A funeral service will take place at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at the W. L. Case and Company Funeral Directors, 4480 Mackinaw Rd., Saginaw, MI 48603. Rev. Julie Bailey will officiate. Honoring Ralph’s wishes, cremation will follow the service. Friends are welcome to visit with the family at the funeral home on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 12:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to the Saginaw Habitat for Humanity. Please share your thoughts and memories with the family at the funeral home or through www.casefuneralhome.com.