Vicente "Gus" Guzmán

BROWNSVILLE, TX. - Vicente "Gus" Guzmán entered into eternal rest on Saturday, the 7th of June 2025, in the comfort of his Brownsville residence, surrounded by his loving family. He was 104 years of age.

Vicente was born January 22, 1921, in Martindale, Texas, son of the late Nazario and Florencia Guzmán. He was the thirteenth of fourteen children.

Vicente spent his early years living on a ranch in Martindale, where he began his education attending Catholic School. He went on to attend school in the surrounding areas of Redwood, Staples, and Prairie Lea. The family eventually moved to the city and made their permanent family home in San Marcos, Texas. As a young boy, he became a migrant farm worker traveling to and from Minnesota with his family. He later worked at the drugstore and the college in San Marcos.

Vicente continued his education at Southwest Texas State Teachers College (now Texas State University), San Marcos, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and his Master of Arts in Education Administration.

The Brownsville Independent School District offered Vicente his first teaching job and he moved to Brownsville in 1949. He taught at Longoria, Webb, Cromack, and Canales Elementary.

He became an assistant principal during his time at Canales and retired after 37 years of service. Throughout his career, Vicente was a member of TSTA, AOBE, and BISD Teachers Basketball and Bowling Leagues.

While teaching, he met and fell in love with Delia Noemi Flores, a teacher at Webb Elementary. They happily married in 1954 and spent their honeymoon in Acapulco, Mexico. A few years later, they welcomed a daughter.

Vicente enjoyed fishing, hunting, gardening, national parks, live horse racing, and casinos. Most recently, he celebrated his 104th birthday at the casinos in Oklahoma. Ultimately, traveling with his family gave him the greatest joy. He especially looked forward to visiting his relatives in Corcoran, California, where his entire family relocated once he moved to Brownsville. His niece Gloria and her husband, Robert Narvaez, graciously welcomed Uncle Vicente to stay at their residence during his yearly trip to California.

Vicente was deeply religious. He would always tell us to pray. He would often fondly remember his older sister teaching him to recite prayers when he was a little boy. He had been a Minister of Hospitality at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, where he ushered on Sundays. He was honored to be a member of the Order of Alhambra Alva Caravan No. 91. He enjoyed being among the members and attending activities. The organization recognized Vicente in 2020 by making him a life member and celebrated him in 2021 for being the oldest member.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Delia Noemi, parents, siblings, nieces, and nephews.

He is survived by his daughter, Carla Permenter, and son-in-law Forrest Nelson Permenter Jr.; the highlight of his life, his granddaughter, Jacquelyn Carnel Permenter Richards, and grandson-in-law Michael Joshua Richards, of Buda, Texas; and numerous nieces and nephews of Corcoran, California and surrounding communities.

Visiting hours will be held on Sunday, the 15th of June 2025 between the hours of five o’clock in the afternoon and nine o'clock at night, with the recitation of the holy rosary to begin at seven o'clock Sunday evening within the East Chapel of Darling-Mouser Funeral Home.

The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at ten o'clock in the morning on Monday, the 16th of June 2025 at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 1914 Barnard Road, Brownsville. Interment will then follow, via an escorted procession, at Buena Vista Burial Park, 5 McDavitt Boulevard, Brownsville.

The Order of Alhambra, Alva Caravan No. 91 members and Michael Joshua Richards are honored to serve as his pallbearers.

Memories of Gus may be shared at www.darlingmouser.com.

Personalized funeral arrangements directed by Steven R. Hieu Bailey, CFSP and Staff have been entrusted to the care of Darling-Mouser Funeral Home at 945 Palm Boulevard in Brownsville, Texas 78520, (956) 546-7111.