“Msgt. Guadalupe “Lupe” Facundo, USAF Retired, passed away on April 11, 2016 at the age of 60 in Cibolo, TX. She was born September 16, 1955 in San Marcos, TX to Pedro Facundo and Maria Mosqueda.
She was raised in San Marcos and assisted with raising her younger siblings before graduating from San Marcos High School in 1974. In January 1977, Lupe joined the United States Air Force where she proudly served for 20 years. After retiring from the Air Force in 1997, she continued her life of service. She joined the Schertz Police Department as a reserve police officer, the Comal County Sheriff’s Officer as a deputy jailer and in late 2000 joined the Guadalupe County Juvenile Services Department in the Schertz and Seguin offices as a juvenile probation officer where she was currently employed.
She was assisting with Seguin ISD’s truancy and prevention program until her passing. Lupe was a true believer of God and her Catholic faith. Her children and grandson were her world and she was always very proud of them. She was a beloved mother, daughter, sister, friend, co-worker and role model. She was caring, thoughtful, strong, motivated and never gave up. She loved with all her heart and was the bond that brought the family together.
She was a lover of animals, especially her dogs. She was a great woman and would do as much as she could for anyone she knew.
Guadalupe County Juvenile Probation Chief Ron Quiros added the following thoughts:
There are elements of working in close proximity to someone that makes their death even more tragic than it may already be. Lupe’s office was ten feet away from mine, and with only one hallway, that means I greeted her daily and she in kind greeted me. Her death in a car accident two weeks ago makes me stop and recognize the impact that death can have on a juvenile probation department however, this is not the first time I have experienced untimely deaths in juvenile probation.
I worked for Bexar County Juvenile Probation when a co-worker and friend committed suicide and I worked for Travis County Juvenile Services when two officers were murdered. I should know how this feels but this was different for us here. Something about having to contact Lupe’s caseload, take care of our staff and accepting the support from department’s from across the State made this one hurt differently than the other deaths. Somehow, my previous lessons of grief did little to abide the tide of sorrow and sadness felt by all of us, and especially me.
But as for me, today, I know that small departments have to deal with these deaths in a whole different manner. After Lupe passed I was heartbroken to learn of Ernie Sertuchee’s passing in Dewitt County. I can’t imagine what that small, close knit department is struggling with in moving through their grief. I know you join me in praying for all of the lost souls who have given their lives in service to the children of our world and I hope that the tides slowly ebbs for another day of service.
Ron J. Quiros
Chief Juvenile Probation Officer
Guadalupe County Juvenile Services