Guadalupe Medina Mata

Guadalupe Medina Mata, 73 of Wiggins, passed away Monday, Sept. 16th in Hattiesburg. He was the oldest of five children, born May 20, 1946 in Ronguo, TX to Alfredo & Hermina (Escobedo) Medina. His family were migrant farmers, moving around to wherever the crops were and they could work, so he grew up in several places. The family settled in Vale, OR in 1952, and Guadalupe spent the rest of his childhood years there. A 1966 graduate of Vale Union High School, he joined the US Army and served honorably through the Vietnam era. He spent his final military years in Germany, where he lived worked for several years after his discharge, before returning to the US 1994. Guadalupe worked as a manager for Circle K in stores all over South MS. He was separated from his siblings and family for many years before they located each other, and were reunited. Guadalupe is remembered as an above average student who loved to cook and read. He had a huge comic book collection, with Captain America as his favorite. A larger-than-life older brother to his siblings, he was an intelligent, loving son, father, and grandfather. Guadalupe enjoyed growing his peppers and tomatoes in pots on his porch, and enjoyed his grandkids to the fullest. He was a strong-willed, determined kind of guy that enjoyed Dr. Phil and Jerry Springer on tv. He also kept in touch with friends from Germany through their facebook cooking club. He will be fondly remembered and sadly missed by family and friends both near and far. He was preceded by his parents, Alfredo & Hermina Medina, his first wife, Geslia Mata, and their son, Mario. Left to cherish his memories are: his daughter, Brandy (Thomas) Hallman of Wiggins; siblings - one sister, Ester (Santos) Ramirez, and brothers  Alfredo (Gayle), Mario, and Jose (Sharyl) Medina; two grandchildren, Thomas and Anthony, whom he adored; his former wife and life-long friend, Deborah Gebhart, along with numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. Guadalupe's wishes were to be cremated, and his ashes scattered in the Smokey Mountains, which his family is honoring. A memorial service will be set at a later date. Trinity Funeral Services is honored to serve the Mata family in their time of need, and asks that you keep them in your thoughts and prayers during this time.