Roberto Gauna, Sr.

Roberto Gauna, Sr.
Roberto Gauna, Sr.

On Sunday, January 24, 2021, Roberto Gauna, Sr., loving father, grandfather, and friend of many, spread his wings, and like an eagle, soared upwards into heaven.

He was born in Ft. Sumner, NM to Mary Gauna. He later moved to Portales, NM where he met Josie Lucero, whom he married. He retired from Pantex and TSA. He was a contributor and lover of the Amarillo Art Scene. He enjoyed listening to live music, taking road trips to capture photographs for his artwork, and painting “Chicano and Native American inspired art”. Most of all, he was passionate about bragging over his loved ones.

Roberto is survived by his children, Rachel Gauna, Teresa Diaz (Jacob), Robert Gauna, Jr. (Jacqueline), Tomas Gauna (Cynthia), and Anthony Gauna (Kristi); his grandchildren, Brianna Jimenez, Brianna Fuentes, Joshua and Kimberly Diaz, Madison Diaz, JoeAngel Zuniga, Jasmine Zuniga, Jose Lopez, Genesis Zuniga, Victoria Gauna, Tommy Gauna, Vanessa Gauna, and Michael Gauna; his great-grandchildren, Ares Jimenez, Iris Gauna, and Kimberlynn Diaz; his siblings, Martha Rodriguez, Jerry Barela, Charlie Zavala, Dorothy Pelland, Mario Barela, and Gilbert Barela; along with many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends that he held dear to his heart.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Emiliano and Clavita Gauna; parents, Mary and Richard Barela; brother, Tomas Barela; and his in-laws, Calletano and Anita Lucero.

He never met a stranger, and while his breath may have passed, he is well-loved and will be greatly missed.

Memorial services will be held in the Boxwell Brothers Ivy Chapel, 2800 Paramount Blvd, Amarillo TX starting at 6:00 p.m. CT on Friday, January 29, 2021. Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home will open doors for personal viewing at 8:00 a.m. CT on Friday, January 29, 2021. This service will be live-streamed, please use this link to access the service online: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwxCSdC9KKslSEh3MxAy1pA/featured?view_as=subscriber

Funeral services will be held at MORE Church, 5511 W Amarillo Blvd, Amarillo, TX starting at 1:00 p.m. CT on Saturday, January 30, 2021. His final resting place will be at Llano Cemetery East.

A final viewing of his art will be at Sonya’s Gallery, 2918 W 6th Ave, Amarillo, TX on Saturday, January 30, 2021.

Masks and social distancing will be required.

27 Replies to “Roberto Gauna, Sr.”

  1. I’m so very sorry. I did not realize Roberto passed. I sent him birthday wishes and wondered why he had not replied. I decided to look him up and I saw he had passed. I made friends with him over the Internet, and he worked on pictures of me and my siblings as well. Such a sweet, kind man. I’m so saddened for your entire family. Please know that even though he has been gone for almost a year, my thoughts and prayers are with you all! We were going to meet because he said he had a relative who lived in Wisconsin. I’m so saddened today. God be with you all❤️

  2. Bobby was a fighter from the get go but yet he took time to say hi during his fight for equal rights.Brown power in heaven Bobby! Peace to Dorthy & family.

  3. My heart goes out to all of you. Robert was such a sweet man. I ran into him a couple of times at the airport. And he had such a wonderful happy Spirit about him. You could just feel it. I am so sorry for your loss. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.

    Nikki Trammell Notch

  4. I am so sorry to hear about Roberto’s passing. The world lost an amazing person and artist. I’m so, so sorry.

    With love,

    Pam

  5. To the Gauna Family, Much love and prayers to each of you as you go through the loss of your beloved father. May our Heavenly Father wrap his healing arms around you and heal your hearts. What a wonderful man and a man who loved and knew his God personally. Cherish your memories. I know I feel very blessed that I that he touched my life. ❤️🙏

  6. We are so deeply saddened and heartbroken to hear of uncle Bobby’s passing, but most of all our hearts ache for all of you… his wonderful family. We hope you all are able to find peace and comfort within one another.
    We were able to view the memorial service with dad (Jerry) it was very beautiful and heartfelt, it touched us all.
    All of you are in our hearts, thoughts and prayers.
    Cherry Barela-Johnson

  7. My heart is heavy with the loss of my dear precious friend. With each sunrise and sunset I look up and smile and I know the sky is now your canvas and I will forever remember you.

  8. We will miss you Uncle Bobby. Thank you for all the wonderful memories. We love you and take comfort in the fact we will see you again❤

  9. Thank a You God for allowing me to have Bobby as a cousin and as a friend. I will miss your hugs your thoughtfulness and your kindness to me. You will always have a special place in my heart. Until we meet again in Heaven. I love you Bobby. May God Bless All Your Children always.

  10. It’s hard to believe you have gone to be with the Lord Roberto You will be greatly missed but never forgotten I see ur painting u gave me hanging in my hall every day..

  11. Bobby, I cannot emphasis how your passing has affected me personally. After all these years I finally connected with you several years ago and even had you visit us at our home. I enjoyed our conversations and was inspired by your talents especially your Art works and Photography and your love for your children and grandchildren. Rest In Peace Primo. Love you..

  12. I was shocked and heart broken to hear that my friend Roberto is gone. He had so much talent in his art and photography to share with the many of us who shared similar interests in art. I loved all
    the FB postings of all the old buildings, old cars , churches and beautiful sun sets. Due to this devil pandemic I hadn’t kept in touch, and I feel bad for that. I know he loved all his family and was always so proud of everyone especially his mom. We talked a lot about the “good old days” and we agreed on that we lived in the best time in history. I’m sure he will painting to his hearts desire. He fought a good fight .We have to trust that God in in control, whether we agree or not. I lost my companion on Nov.7th and it it so sad that we didn’t get a chance to say good bye. I pray that all his kids had that opportunity. Prayers for all the family.
    Peggy Mares Solano

  13. To my dear friend Roberto “Robert as he had me call him”. I am so blessed for our friendship. Our music and art community will not be the same with out you! Praising the Lord that you are in Heaven with Jesus, however I along with many, will miss you dearly! You have made such a great impact on my life with your generosity, your love, your sense of humor, your art and many wonderful memories to which I will cherish for ever! Sending Love and Prayers for your family and for all who loved you and were blessed enough to encounter your presence. I’m looking forward to one day reuniting with you and all of my other loved ones who have gone before you. You have touched my heart in so many ways! Thank you Lord for Robert!

  14. I will miss you cousin. We grew up in Fort Sumner and when I moved away, we did not see other until we were adults. But we saw each other at times of family illness and family members passing. We were connected again thru our face book connection. I was so fortunate to see and acquire some of his work. So there was another part of his life. Thank you Bobby for allowing me to be a part of the ‘artist’ part of your life. You will be missed by so many and never forgotten. Just have to look at your painting. My thoughts are with your family. Prayers for all. Katarina “Kathy” Barela Haas and family

  15. What a fun wonderful man he was! My name for him was..Poppy..we worked together at Tsa..and with many friends..he site at the right hand of our Father in Heaven! Will love and miss you! Charmaine

  16. On behalf of the members of our Facebook Group Page “Remembering Fort Sumner” we offer our sincere condolences to the friends and family of Roberto Gauna Sr.. May the Lord provide strength to family and friends during this difficult time!

  17. Roberto had a heart of gold and will be greatly missed. We will miss his art but I know when I see a sunset or sunrise he is painting in heaven. Lifting his family in prayer. Fly high Roberto.

  18. Roberto you will be missed. An bigger champion of art and beauty can’t be found. Safe journey to your heavenly rest. God bless you. ❤️

  19. What a great man, friend! Robert you are missed. You always have kind words, a beautiful smile and a warm hug! My heart is broken but can’t wait to see you again. I am jealous knowing you are walking with our Lord . Enjoy your time and we will meet again! ❤️❤️

  20. My heart was broke to find that you had passed from this life way too soon. You were a kind hearted man, loved by many. I will miss your smile, how you loved everyone and most of all, you. May you rest in peace my friend.

  21. I you Uncle Bobby. You will remain forever in my heart and in my many wonderful memories. Thank you for loving me like a daughter. Thank you for always being available to listen to my woes, dreams and offer encouragement to press onward in my faith because it’s what made me unique.. Thank you making me feel ever so special. And most of all …Thank you for assuring me that one day God would send me my one true love., which He did indeed, Kevin. And for that you were the only one I allowed to call me Juliana. 😉.
    Enjoy your new home. I’m sure the colors there are spectacular.
    Give my love to my beloved Jesus and Daniel, I’m sure you’ll have a host of loved ones welcoming you home.
    Forever,
    Julie, (Juliana) Madina

  22. We love you dearly Uncle Bobby ! You truly showed us Lucero kids (Florentino Lucero) how special we were to you! Tell my daddy “hi” for me! Of course after you guys hug each other eagerly! See ya down the road! Amen! Love, your niece Laura Q.

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