Mario Carlos Guerra

On August 21, 2021, Mario Carlos Guerra, beloved son; brother; nephew; cousin; godfather; friend, left this world with his beloved mother and caring partner by his side at his home in San Antonio, Texas and walked into Jesus’ arms and eternal life.

Carlos was born on August 5, 1981, in McAllen, Texas with a rare congenital birth defect which affected his lower limbs. He could have easily given up on life; been bitter; or felt sorry for himself, but that was never the case. He grew up loving life, never complaining, always striving to do his best.

After graduating from San Antonio’s Marshall High School, Carlos attended The University of Texas San Antonio and volunteered at San Antonio Prosthetics. He went on to graduate from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas Southwestern Allied Health Sciences School with a B.S. degree in Prosthetics and Orthotics. He completed his Orthotics residency at UT Southwestern and Prosthetics residency at Scottish Rite Hospital, both in Dallas. Upon completion of his residencies, he practiced at several O&P facilities including Hanger Clinic, Elite Prosthetics, and his most recent employer, Medical Express in San Antonio. Carlos chose this profession in order to help people with disabilities because he knew first-hand what they were experiencing both physically and emotionally. He loved his patients and they loved him; in fact, many would travel from afar to be able to continue to receive his care. It comes as no surprise to those who knew him that one of his proudest accomplishments was being able to help others overcome their struggles just as he had. His empathy, compassion, and noble heart are just some of the attributes that set him apart from everyone else. Never one to vie for attention, he inspired all who he came in contact with by exuding dignity in everything he said and did.

Although Carlos was a highly respected prosthetist/orthotist, he was not defined by his profession. He will be most remembered as a rare and extraordinary human being. He lived his life with quiet strength, undeniable grace, and a genuine love of life in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds. He taught everyone who knew him what is most important in life: faith, family, kindness, integrity, gratitude, and courage, and he did so not through mere words but by his actions. Like Atticus Finch, he personified the idea that courage is when you know you may fail before you even begin, but you begin anyway and see it through no matter what. This was evident in the way he approached the physical and emotional struggles of his day to day life and even more so as he valiantly faced the fight of his life, his cancer diagnosis.

Carlos was not only brave and kind and inspiring. He was FUNNY! One of his most endearing qualities was an innocence with which he viewed and interpreted the world around him, which in turn provided him with a unique and indelible sense of humor. Moreover, and perhaps more importantly, who can forget his magnificent smile! Those who were fortunate enough to be on the receiving end of it will have to be content with remembering exactly what it looked like and how it made them feel, for no words come close to capturing its essence and impact. If his smile weren’t enough to capture your heart, he could always rely on his legendary barbeque skills to win you over. Carlos’ father taught him well, and Carlos was a good study, for he was the undisputed grill master of the family. He loved spending time at family gatherings eating good food, sharing memories, and laughing together. Welding masterpieces from raw metal was another favorite activity. And one must not forget the well-earned and well-worn role of fisherman to round out the list of Carlos’ hobbies. Above all, when those who knew Carlos best think of him, they will undoubtedly envision him tinkering with one of his custom equipped trucks, the most recent one a Dodge Ram 2500, then driving around in his pride and joy.

This talented young man who shied away from the limelight, who was devoted to his family, who lived and loved honestly, who inspired all who knew him, whose greatest accomplishment was helping others will be missed profoundly by every person who was fortunate enough to have been a part of his incredible journey.

Carlos was blessed with many who loved and cared for him throughout his life, but no one more than his faithful mother who never left his side during the last months of his life.

Carlos was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Joe G. and Aurora C. Garza and paternal grandparents, Gabriel and Aurora L. Guerra. He is survived by his devoted mother, Marina Garza (Richard) Small and devoted father, Mario (Hilda) Guerra; his beloved siblings, Gabriel and Brianna Guerra; maternal aunt and uncles, Irene, David, and Rick Garza; paternal uncles, Benny (Dora) and Johnny (Dahlia) Guerra; cousins, Laura, Homer, Daniel, and Brooklyn Garza, Janette, Benny, and J.J. Guerra, and Mikala Hamley. He is also survived by his loving partner, Angie Davila, and adoring goddaughters, Sabrina and Sierra Rivera and Lia Fisher, as well as many extended family and friends.

The family would like to thank Dr. Syed N. Raza, M.D., Dr. Muhammad R. Naqvi, M.D., and the wonderful staff at Oncology San Antonio for the compassionate care given to Mario Carlos. Also, to his Medical Express family, thank you for your generous support, especially during Carlos’ recent illness. A special thank you to Debra and Roger Reece, his next-door neighbors, for their kind and unwavering support and care.

Pallbearers will be Gabriel Guerra, Jonathan Miranda, Rick Garza, Daniel Garza, John Stephenson, Albert Labastida, and Benny Guerra, Jr.

Visitation will be held on Friday, August 27, 2021 from 5:30-8:00pm with a Rosary recited at 6pm at Ceballos-Diaz Funeral Home, 322 East Kuhn St., Edinburg, Texas. This service alone will be livestreamed on www.ceballos-diaz.com. Funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday, August 28, 2021 at 9:00am at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 501 East Kuhn St. in Edinburg. Interment will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Park, 1701 E. Richardson Rd. in Edinburg. Funeral services have been entrusted to Johnny Garcia, Manager/Funeral Director and staff of Ceballos-Diaz Funeral Home in Edinburg.

The family requests that masks be worn to all services as per CDC COVID-19 guidelines.