Gilberto Sauceda
Age 86, passed away July 6, 2018. He was born February 4, 1932, in Mercedes, TX, to Tomas and Virginia (Cavazos) Sauceda. Gilbert was a Veteran of the Korean Conflict , serving in the U.S. Army and National Guard. He was a teacher and coach from 1956 until his retirement in 1993, serving Harlingen Independent School District in Harlingen,TX, as a teacher, basketball, baseball and football coach; retiring from Lansing Eastern High School, having been an English teacher, and head football coach. He was a member of the MHSAA Football Hall of Fame. Gil was an avid golfer, loved reading and watching Western movies.
Surviving are his wife of 66 years, Gloria; daughter, Irma (Ernie) Flores; 2 sons, Gilbert (Elaine) and James (Brenda) Sauceda; 9 grandchildren, Christopher, Matthew, Lisa Marie, Jessica, Nicholas, William, Morgen, Parker, Evan; 7 great grandchildren, Sofia, Marix, Vivienne, Ella, Ava, Tristynn, Annabelle; brother, Jose (Viola) Sauceda; sister-in-law, Paula Sauceda; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a brother, Raul Sauceda.
The family will receive friends at the Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, July 11, 2018, where the Rosary will be prayed at 7:30 p.m.
The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, July 16, 2018, at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church in Mercedes, TX, with the Rite of Committal at the Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery in Mission, TX. Visitation in Texas will be held from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Sunday, July 15, 2018, at Garcia & Trevino Funeral Home, Mercedes, TX.
Memorial contributions may be made to McLaren Hospice, Lansing, MI, in memory of Gilbert Sauceda. Online condolences may be left for his family at www.EstesLeadley.com.
14 Messages to “Gilberto Sauceda”
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Lee Chepy
July 8, 2018 at 2:48 pmSo sad to hear of Gil’s passing. My prayers are with his beautiful and loving wife Gloria. The Sauceda’s were a second family to me and I was very lucky to be able to call them friends. I was fortunate enough to play football for Gil in his first year coaching at Eastern High and have so many wonderful memories of him. He was a great Coach and an even better man, I will miss him.
Stacy Outwater
July 8, 2018 at 7:45 pmMr. Sauceda was one of my favorite teachers while attending Eastern! God bless and prayers for healing to his family!
Stacy Outwater (Weck)
Wendi Dwyer
July 8, 2018 at 8:29 pmMy codolences to the Sauceda family. Mr. Sauceda was my homeroom teacher from 1982-85. He was always so kind and while he was never a teacher to me, had a way of keeping me on track. I have such fond memories of him. May your memories of love and laughter help you through your grief.
Wendi McDaniel
LEHS ’85
Fred Campos
July 8, 2018 at 9:31 pmCoach was one of my favorite football and baseball coaches at Coakley Junior High and later at Harlingen High School in the 1960’s. He was a wonderful coach and person, always had encouraging words and sage advice. What a sad note to hear of his passing. My very sincerest condolences to his wife Gloria and the rest of his family.
Michael Youngs
July 8, 2018 at 11:05 pmMr. Sauceda was my favorite english teacher, at Eastern High School. He was a great man and teacher. Our football program went down after his retirement. He was stern but fair. He kept us all in line and didnt take no guff from any of us. I think for this reason my grades elevated in english. He also gave me a lot of encouragement. I will always remember him. R.I.P. and much respect.
Angela Westbrook
July 9, 2018 at 9:11 amI’m sorry for your loss. Mr. Sauceda was my English teacher. I remember when he was taking attendance and he came across a student that hardly attended school and he said “I haven’t seen him since the 6th grade picnic….I have been out of school for over 20 years but this joke has always remained in my memories. Rest in peace Mr. Sauceda.
Jennifer L Mena
July 9, 2018 at 1:42 pmWishing Mrs. Saucedo and the entire family peace and comfort during this difficult time. Mr. Saucedo was a truly great man. He made an impact on me and all the students he came in contact with. I thought of him as a father figure and am heartbroken to hear of his passing. I will carry his spirit with me forever.
Joe Lopez
July 9, 2018 at 4:57 pmWe lost a great man and teacher of many trades. We met in Harlingen High School as my coach and then in Lansing as he continued his passion of teaching kids into adulthood. Our deepest condolences to the entire Sauceda family.
Shelby Miller
July 9, 2018 at 9:48 pmI think of Mr. Sauceda as one of those people that leave a profound mark on your life. He was a friend who was also a role model, teacher and protector. I’m thankful for his friendship and teachings and know we will meet again in heaven some day. You were so important to me. Shelby Miller
Tristynn
July 9, 2018 at 10:15 pmI miss you I loved you with all my heart we all miss you we are very sad you passed away and we will pray for you every day and never for get you I miss you grate grandpa and we all love you
Ray gatcis
July 10, 2018 at 7:50 amCoach brought me up as a 10th grader to the varsity and told leave it all out there then in my last year told me something that fired me up to this day I still use it he’s part of the reason I owe him part of my 24 yr football playing life and why I’m a coach now
Tony and Carmen Benavides
July 10, 2018 at 9:03 amGloria and family, Tony and I send you our prayers of consolation. We want you to know that we are very appreciative of all his work and his life devoted to the children of Lansing and to all of us. We feel he leaves a great legacy to the Hispanic community of our capital city and will live on in the lives of many of us. He is part of our history. May God give all of you great comfort.
Tony and Carmen Benavides and our family.
Kim Smith Cook
July 11, 2018 at 10:17 pmSending my condolences to the Sauceda Family and hoping that your grieving will soon be followed by the comfort of knowing that so many were touched by the magical power Gilberto Sauceda had on their lives in so many ways. I remember his smile of friendship in the hallways of Easter High School and knew that he would help out anyone when he saw the need or they asked. RIP Mr. Sauceda and God Bless Everyone
Sandra Herrera-Walker
July 17, 2018 at 1:58 pmMy condolences to the family. Mr. Sauceda was my assistant Principal at Pattengil Jr. High and was always so nice. He and my late stepfather and mom, Rodrigo and Cecilia Santa Anna were friends, both men worked in the Lansing school district and were from the Rio Grande Valley of Texas. Again I am so sorry for your loss. Prayers to the family.