Rev. Gary James Geurtz

Fr. Gary Geurtz, humble and caring priest, dies at 76

Father Gary James Geurtz, 76, a priest of the Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth, died March 30, 2026.

Remembered as a caring, humble, and loving priest, Fr. Geurtz sometimes chose an unconventional and courageous path to reinforce a teaching, said Charles Gappa, a longtime director of religious education at St. Bartholomew Parish in Fort Worth.

“During one homily, he asked us to take our shoes off, because we were standing on holy ground,” Gappa recalled. “And everyone did it! He wanted us to recognize that God is around us. Everything is His creation — everything we walk on, touch, feel, and breathe is God’s creation, so it’s holy.”

Born May 4, 1949, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Fr. Geurtz was the second of seven children born to Robert and Marjorie Geurtz.

The son of a U.S. Air Force pilot, Fr. Geurtz attended elementary and secondary schools in Europe and the U.S.

His sister Judy King recalled that Fr. Geurtz had an early and consistent devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. As an elementary school student at a local Catholic school, he learned that a large statue of Mary was no longer wanted, and he “prayed and prayed and prayed” and was given the statue, which moved with the family to his father’s various military assignments.

His father retired to Fort Worth in 1966, and Fr. Geurtz graduated from Paschal High School in Fort Worth in 1968.

Fr. Geurtz attended Tarrant County College, Texas Christian University, and University of Texas at Arlington, where he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree.

His sister remembers that he had a lifelong passion for art and decorating, and he filled his room in the assisted living facility with art and decor. Each year, he would return to his parents’ home to put up the family’s Christmas decorations.

He entered seminary in 1973, studying philosophy at University of Dallas and subsequently earning a Master of Divinity degree from St. Meinrad Seminary in Indiana in 1981.

Bishop Joseph Delaney ordained him on October 17, 1981, at St. Bartholomew Church, where his parents were parishioners.

He was assigned as associate pastor to St. Matthew Parish in Arlington, St. Andrew Parish in Fort Worth, and St. Patrick Cathedral. He then was appointed pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Abbott and Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in Penelope.

He also served as pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Rhineland before returning to St. Matthew Parish in Arlington as pastor.

In 1995, he was assigned to St. Bartholomew Parish, where he remained until his retirement.

Michael Sawey, director of music for St. Bartholomew Parish, described Fr. Geurtz as a “vibrant and dynamic” priest who, when he celebrated Mass, “in that moment, in that place, everything else became secondary.”

St. Bartholomew parishioner Jim Foertsch remembered the “holy ground” homily from 25 years ago. “His homilies were always very encouraging, and he urged people to have frequent confession and be close to the Church,” Foertsch said.

After his retirement, Fr. Geurtz continued to participate in a weekly “pray and share” meeting with Foertsch and several others. “He was a very good example of how to follow the Lord, and he pointed us in the right direction,” Foertsch said.

In his final years at an assisted living center, he provided pastoral care to the other residents — listening, talking, caring, and sharing.

Sawey, who fondly recalled that Fr. Geurtz was his daughter’s first visitor in the hospital after her birth almost 18 years ago, noted that even as his health declined in recent years, “He just always remained so faithful, that whole family did, honestly. They really are very much a model and an inspiration. He will be missed. He made a very deep and indelible memory on anyone who was around him.”

Fr. Geurtz was preceded in death by his father, Robert Peter Geurtz, and his mother, Marjorie June White Geurtz, as well as his brother, Robert John Geurtz.

He is survived by his siblings Judy Marie Geurtz King; Susan Jean Geurtz Johnson and husband Steve; William George Geurtz and wife Susan; Margie Ann Geurtz Spigelmyer and husband Dave; and Michael John Geurtz, as well as a host of nieces and nephews.

Fr. Geurtz donated his body to Southwestern Medical Center for medical research, and funeral arrangements are pending.

Memorials may be made to St. Bartholomew Catholic Church, 3601 Altamesa Blvd., Fort Worth, TX 76133 or the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry at St. Bartholomew Church.