Gilberto Martinez Munguia passed away peacefully on June 1st, 2024. Born to Tirso and Isidra Munguia on April 18, 1937, Gilberto spent his life caring for his family while modeling values like hope, hard work, patience, and unconditional love.

Gilberto was a dedicated husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. He is survived by his son, Gilbert (Monica). He also leaves behind his grandchildren, Lucia (Cheyne Pierce), Yvonne (Thomas Crews), Damien Munguia, and Daniel Munguia. Gilberto is also survived by his great grandchildren, Delina Pierce, Oliver and Arlo Crews, Damien Jr., Mariah, and Nico Munguia, and Daniela and Mia Munguia. He is preceded in death by his wife, Fidelina Munguia and his son, Martin Munguia.

Anyone lucky enough to know Gilberto was graced by his immense love of nature. This love radiated through each of his pastimes following his retirement from Coca Cola in 1998. From his landscaping work to camping and hunting in the mountains with his sons and grandsons, and to sowing hopeful seeds and gardening with his granddaughters and great grandchildren he spread a respect for nature. His knowledge and appreciation for the native plants and animals of the Sonoran desert was contagious and will be carried by his family for generations.

Beyond his enthusiasm for nature, Gilberto always practiced unconditional love, patience, and kindness. He never turned away a friend in need. He was there for every family member, driving countless miles to pick up his grandchildren up from school on too-hot days and opening his door to offer shelter in any difficult times. Gilberto was also a reliable supporter for all he loved. He held deep pride for each one of their unique accomplishments whether it be a sturdy wall they built, how caring and compassionate they were in their line-of-work, an advanced degree, or a great grandkid playing their first baseball game. He was simply happy to see his people grow and thrive in their own way.

Gilberto will be missed for his amazing ability to tell a vivid story, to see the good in people, and for his unwavering hopefulness. Tata, we will not see a mesquite tree without remembering how you showed us that we could taste the slightly bitter sap as kids. We will not forget you showing us the beauty of freeing the flesh of a prickly pear from its spines to make nopales. We will feel your patience when waiting for the white-tail deer in the woods. We will hold your hopefulness in every seed we sow. In every mountain we will know your love remains, always around us, alive. Te quiero mucho, Tata.

The following services will be held in honor of Gilberto's full and beautiful life on Monday June 17, 2024: Rosary: 9:30am at Carrillo's Tucson Mortuary. Mass: 10:00 am at St. Augustine's Cathedral Internment: 11:30am Holy Hope Cemetery