Christian Jay Guerra

Christian Jay “Chris” Guerra, age 30, passed away unexpectedly on March 23, 2025, in Brownsville, Texas. Chris was born to Jessie Joe Beltran and Liza M. Gonzalez on September 13, 1994, in Harlingen, Texas.

SPC Christian Jay Guerra was a United States Army Ranger assigned to Bravo Company, 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment at Fort Benning, Georgia, where he served as a Rifleman, Grenadier, and Machine Gunner. His military education included the Basic Airborne Course and the Ranger Assessment and Selection Program.

SPC Guerra was involved in Operation Freedom and Operation Sentinel. He deployed to Afghanistan with Team BAF from May 2015 to September 2015 and with Team Scorpion from April 2016 to August 2016. He was also involved in a historic military operation, Operation Green Sword.

For his dedicated service, SPC Guerra received the Expert Infantry Badge, Combat Infantry Badge, Parachutist Badge, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, two Army Achievement Awards, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and Army Service Ribbon.

At the time of his death, Chris worked for Patriot Group International, a global mission support service provider with expeditionary capabilities that serve clients in the intelligence, defense, and private sectors.

He loved reading his Bible and getting closer to God. In his leisure time, Chris loved going to the shooting range, working out, challenging himself physically, and exploring new places. One of his latest adventures was snorkeling. He loved being a social butterfly, making people laugh, having a good time, and being the life of the party.

Chris’ great-grandmother, Ofelia Martinez, preceded him in death.

Chris is lovingly remembered by his wife, SSGT Rae Ann Nicole Villafranco Guerra; his parents, Jessie Joe Beltran and Liza M. Gonzales; his brothers, Matthew Solis and Jessie Joe Beltran; his devoted aunts, Mary Lou Melendez, Mary Ann Alonzo, and Ofelia Alviar; his uncle Willie Guerra; and, his beloved grandmother, Margarita Melendez. He was also deeply cherished by many friends, including his Army brothers and other close friends, who became like family.

Chris's family will welcome relatives and friends on Thursday, March 27, 2025, and Friday, March 28, 2025, from 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The Holy Rosary will be recited each evening starting at 7 o’clock. (Thursday evening The Rosary will be livestreamed:  https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/index.php?data=MTc0Mjk5OTMzMTM1NTc1NyZvbmVyb29tLWFkbWluJmNvcHlfbGluaw==) (Friday evening: https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/index.php?data=MTc0Mjk5OTUzNzM1NTc1OCZvbmVyb29tLWFkbWluJmNvcHlfbGluaw==) A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, March 29, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at St. Benedict Catholic Church. Following the Mass, Chris will be laid to rest with full military honors at Mont Meta Memorial Park.

Chris's father, Jessie Joe Beltran, along with brothers, Jessie Joe Beltran, and Matthew Solis, as well as Sammy Sommerfield, Andrew Bujanos, Brandon Juarez, and Solomon Rojas, and Jeremy Alvardo are honored to serve as pallbearers. Chris will be reunited in Heaven with his honorary pallbearer, U.S. Army SSG James Gregory Perez.