Francisco Guevara Obituary

Francisco "Junior" Guevara

Sep 17, 1950 - Jul 3, 2023

Owosso, MI

Francisco Guevara, 72, passed away Monday, July 3, 2023, at Hospice House of Shiawassee County, Michigan, after a well fought battle against cancer.

He was born Sept. 17, 1950, in Savanah, Puerto Rico, the son of Francisco and Guillermina (Alicia) Guevara Sr.

Frank to most, and Junior to his close friends, was one of 11 children, nine boys and two girls with four of the nine boys blind due to a genetic abnormality that causes the retina to deteriorate. Frank lost his eyesight at the age of 12 but it didn't hold him back in having a full and complete life.

Frank married Janet Lee Cross in Sept., 1994. They enjoyed 28 years of marriage together with the last nine years located in Owosso, Michigan, and their previous years together in Sandusky. He was an avid Ohio sports team fan, especially Ohio State football and listened to most every game while back seat coaching with his friends and family on the phone.

Frank didn't let his disability or his cancer hold him back from enjoying life. At the age of 48, he was a 1999 Special Olympics Competitor in the World Games Power Lifting competition (oldest power lift competitor in the World Games that year) and brought home three gold medals for the United States! The World Games hosted approximately 7,000 competitors from over 150 countries that year.

He also enjoyed martial arts and earned over 21 trophies in pursuit of his earned black belt in Shotokan style karate within the Sandusky vicinity. In 2008, he obtained his GED at the age of 58, an achievement of immense importance to him. In addition, Frank took guitar lessons in his mid-60s due to his love of music. He enjoyed most types, but especially enjoyed music from the 60s. He would learn a song and then perform it for his wife.

He is survived by his wife, Janet (Cross) Guevara; brothers, Fredrico Guevara and Daniel Guevara and his wife Rose; sisters, Margareta Ousley and her husband Roger, and Maria Guevara, all located within the Sandusky vicinity; and many nieces and nephews.

Frank was preceded in death by his parents; and brothers, Samuel, Angelo, David, Edward, Felipe, and Joseph.

Frank's funeral will be 1 p.m. Saturday, July 8, 2023, at Nelson-House Funeral Home, 120 E. Mason Street, Owosso, Michigan, 48867, (989) 723-5234. Visitation with the family for friends and visitors will be 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Pastor Jason Georges will officiate. Francisco's body will be put to rest at Byron Cemetery in Byron, Michigan.

Those who wish to remember Frank in a special way may make gifts in his memory to the following organizations: NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND, HOSPICE HOUSE OF SHIAWASSEE COUNTY, or SPECIAL OLYMPICS.

The Guevara family would like to extend a special thanks to the staff at Hospice House of Shiawassee County as well as Pastor Jason Georges and his team from Immanuel Baptist Church for the loving, spiritual care provided to Frank and his family.