Dr. Vicente Guerra

Dr. Jose Vicente Guerra, beloved husband, father, and grandfather, passed away surrounded by his family in his home in Olathe, Kansas, at the age of 83, on July 23, 2023.

Pepe, which is how he was commonly known by his family and friends, was born to Jose and Luz (Luna) Guerra in San Gabriel, Ecuador. On the 14th day of February in 1970, he married Nelly del Pilar Guerra (Guerrero). He was devoted to his family and vocation.

Dr. Guerra received his doctorate degree from the Central University of Ecuador and enjoyed his vocation as an educator for over 60 years in private and public institutions. As a published author, he wrote textbooks including technical English series involving electro-mechanics as well as industrial and motor mechanics.

In his early twenties, Dr. Guerra served as private secretary to Ecuador's Minister of Education. In later years, while at the Central University of Ecuador in Quito, he served as the Assistant Dean for the Faculty of Philosophy and Education, and as Chairman of the School of Languages in the Faculty of Philosophy and Education. At different points in Dr. Guerra's life he maintained other leadership positions in his field. Since the early 2000's, he taught at middle school, high school, and collegiate institutions in Kansas. During Dr. Guerra's retirement, he continued to teach Spanish at the Johnson County Community College until April 2023. In the later years of his career, he developed an effective method of teaching conversational Spanish, which he applied with success.

Pepe, along with his wife Pilar, chose tennis, a family life-long sport, through which they shared time with their children. Throughout the years, Pepe also served in leadership roles in the tennis community while in Quito, Ecuador. During the last years of his life, Pepe and Pilar continued to enjoy playing tennis on a weekly basis.

Pepe is survived by his loving wife, Pilar; sons, Erick (Alina) Guerra, Lenin (Kristi) Guerra, and Jose (Beth) Guerra; and grandchildren, Madelyn, Ethan, Sergio, Colin, and Isabella.

The youngest of nine children, Jose was preceded in death by his parents and eight siblings.

A memorial service will be held at Redeemer Presbyterian Church at 9333 W. 159th Street, in Overland Park, Kansas 66221, at 1:00 p.m. on the 11th day of August, 2023, which will be preceded by visitation at 12:00 p.m.

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