Rev. Francisco Gaytan

REV. FRANCISCO GAYTAN
EDINBURG - Rev. Francisco Gaytan, 89, entered eternal rest Monday, November 29, 2021, at McAllen Medical Center.
Born in Chihuahua, MX, he had lived in Edinburg since 1983. Rev. Gaytan was pastor of El Buen Pastor United Methodist Church in Edinburg. In 1948, Rev. Gaytan came to the United States from Chihuahua, Mexico to learn English at Lydia Patterson Institute in El Paso, Texas. While there, he received his calling to go into the ministry. He then went on to study and received a Masters degree in Sociology at Sul Ross State University and a Master of Divinity at Southern Methodist University. He served as a minister at several churches including 19 years at Lydia Patterson Institute. During these 19 years, he was an educator, principal, and chaplain. One of his various leadership roles included being appointed as District Superintendent of the Southern District of the Rio Grande Conference. He retired at his last charge at El Buen Pastor United Methodist Church in Edinburg, Texas. Rev. Gaytan served 60 plus years as an Elder in the Rio Grande Conference of the United Methodist Church. He was a leader that was committed to serve, and he cared deeply for others. In his own words, Rev. Gaytan described himself as a simple country preacher true to the gospel.
Rev. Gaytan is survived by his wife of 67 years, Elisa Gaytan of Edinburg; four children, Cynthia (Darrell) Ehler of McAllen, Sylvia Elisa Gaytan of Dallas, Francisco Javier (Zita Minette) Gaytan of San Antonio, Carmen Alicia (Eloy) Rodriguez of Edinburg; seven grandchildren, Adalberto, Lauren, Kacie, April, Matthew, Ana Elyssa, Deanna Patricia; seven great-grandchildren, Katalina, Marisol, Albert, Christian, Carter, William, Lyla; a sister, Guadalupe Valerio of Juarez, MX; and a brother, Jose Gaytan of Chihuahua, MX.
Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m., with a 6 p.m. Celebration of Life Sunday, December 5, 2021, at Memorial Funeral Home, 208 East Canton in Edinburg. Funeral service will take place at 11 a.m. Monday, December 6, 2021, at El Buen Pastor United Methodist Church in Edinburg. Interment will follow at Valley Memorial Gardens in McAllen.
Funeral services are under the direction of Memorial Funeral Home in Edinburg.