Ralph M. Guevara

GUEVARA, Ralph Mendoza – of Clio, age 89, went peacefully home to be with his Lord on Friday, May 17, 2024. Honoring his wishes, cremation will be taking place. Mass of Resurrection will be held at 12PM Thursday, May 23, 2024, at St. Mary's Catholic Church – 11110 Saginaw St., in Mt. Morris. Rev. Fr. Roy Horning officiating. The family will receive visitors at the church on Thursday from 11AM until the time of Mass at 12PM. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
Ralph was born February 15, 1935, in Saginaw, Michigan, to the late Bartolo and Francisca (Mendoza) Guevara. He graduated from Saginaw High School with the class of 1953. Upon graduating, Ralph proudly served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War as a paratrooper in the 11th Airborne Division. His service was a source of great pride, symbolizing his dedication to his nation. Ralph married Elena Rae Stornello on December 23, 1975. They enjoyed 48 wonderful years together and had 2 children. Ralph was married to the late Ann E. Houlihan from 1953 to 1969 and they had 4 children together. Ralph retired as an electrician from General Motors in 2000 with over 47 years seniority and was a member of the UAW Local #668. He was also a faithful member of St. Mary's Catholic Church since 1975, and the Birch Run Moose Lodge #2426.
Ralph loved to tell stories, and he was really good at it. He loved to "hold court" as his family would say – telling stories about past times living in the projects, jumping out of airplanes as a paratrooper, winning the 1957 batting title with a batting average of 479, playing on the 1957 Hispanic Basketball championship team, the first in Saginaw County. Was he pulling our leg? Did he really do all those things? We surely believed him!! Ralph continued to enjoy sports and playing his treasured saxophone. He was the lead saxophonist in his band, "Ralph Guevara and the Latin Serenaders". He continued to play saxophone with the Saginaw Area Concert band through January 2024. Ralph loved to talk with anyone and was an easy man to talk to, though nothing was better than sitting around telling stories with family and friends. He had an incredibly sharp mind and could remember details from all his various exploits and adventures. The man loved a good cigar on occasion, and dancing with his beloved partner, Elena – especially to Lou Rawls.
A beloved patriarch who welcomed everyone into his steadily expanding family, you always knew that family came first with Ralph. Whether as a steadfast spouse, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, father-in-law, friend, and everything in between. He always looked forward to seeing everyone and hanging out always seemed like a party and time to celebrate. Ralph loved life and his greatest pleasure were the people around him. If he knew you for more than five minutes, you got a nickname. He had the most kind and generous spirit. Ralph had a knack for getting along with everyone in every situation. No matter who you were, he would find a way to get a laugh from you – he was just warm and easy that way. Quick with a joke, smile, and an interest in what you were about. If you were honored to have Ralph as a friend, he was a true one for sure. He will be greatly missed by all who know him but left behind quite a legacy of love that everyone will cherish forever.
Surviving are: Loving wife, Elena Rae Guevara; Children: Amilia Rae (Chris) Stornello-Rice, and Ramon (Michelle Garcia) Guevara; Children with the late Ann E. Houlihan: Sue (Mary Stanbra #5) Guevara, Julia (David Lehker) Guevara, Ralph B. Guevara, and Marytherese (Kurt Schmidt) Guevara-Schmidt; Grandchildren: Casey (Lauren Farnelli) Guevara-Lehker, Jesse (Paulina Levy) Guevara-Lehker, Ralph P. Guevara, Vincent (Alyssa Sturtevant) Guevara, Scott Guevara, Kevin (Amanda Hamlin) Schmidt, Eric (Paige Bittner) Schmidt, Grant Schmidt, Michael (Alex Brown) Stornello, Daniel Stornello, and Apolonia Rae Guevara; Great grandchildren: Rowan Guevara-Lehker, Gabriel Guevara, Garreth Guevara, Marina Schmidt, and Kairi Stornello; Siblings: Sister Marie Rachael Guevara O.P., Ofelia (Thomas) Burrows, Gilberto (Guadalupe) Guevara, Virginia Guevara, Juanita (Frank) Medel, and Arturo (Angela) Guevara; Many loving nieces, nephews, other family members, and dear friends. Ralph was also preceded in death by: Grandson, Antonio Guevara; Siblings: Rafael Guevara, Miguel Guevara, Alicia Guevara, and Jesse Guevara; Sister-in-law, Rose Guevara; Nephews: Julian Guevara, and Frank Medel Jr.; Niece, Cynthia Laura Guevara. Please sign our guestbook or share an online condolence with the family at www.oguinnfh.com.
O'Guinn Family Funeral Home
Clio Chapel
810.686.5070