This page is dedicated to my best friend who has passed on. "Freddy" Alfredo Simpson Guerra Jr., born Feburary 3, 1983 in San Benito, Texas, died on Feburary 25, 1999 in Seguin, Texas. Ever since I moved to Harlingen, Tx. from Canada, 9 years ago, I got to know Freddy in second grade. As the years rolled along, Freddy and I became the best of friends along with John Jason Lozano, another friend I've known for a long time. We became a trio of little hellrazors, and we practically did everything together. Although, we did have our fights, we were soon back to being friends. Freddy's personality was like a little kid trapped inside a big body. He always liked to laugh and smile and hang out with his friends. But he did have his problems. When Freddy was small, he became real ill and a physical reaction to that illness, he gained weight over night. He lived his life with a serious weight problem along with his asthma and was teased about it growing up. But he ignored all the names and jokes. After to much, it started to get to him, and he stood up for himself. Freddy was known for his big mouth and thats what mostly got him into trouble. Aside from the name calling, he did have many friends. Many people cared about him, especially his mother and grandmother "Josephine Simpson". When Freddy was 10 years old, his father Alfredo Guerra Sr. passed away. It changed his life forever and he was very sensitive about his fathers death. At that time, I didn't keep in touch with him. When he moved back to my school, we became friends again. Then as the years went by, I spent more time at his house than I did at my own. I spent the night at least two times a week or more. I really got to know him and his family alot better. Soon I considered his house my second home. We spent so much time together, we knew what the other was thinking. We shared the same interests in many different things: Music, movies, games, girls, and cars. The past two years, he had touched many more people and made many new friends. Some friends in particular were the skaters,(You know who you are). The ones who always hung out at his house. We all had our problems together and they would usually made fun of him alot. They would take it as a joke but not him. After so much, he didn't take it any longer. When ever they would come by, he would kick them out, and call the cops once or twice. But it wasn't always like that. I can remember when we would all get along and swim in his pool in the summer. We had so much fun those days, playing basketball games and always wrestling in the water. Although they made fun of him, they still respected him. Soon after, they never really came over anymore, and then they never did. But I continued to go over. I know that they really loved him in there own way. This past year (1998) was probably the worst year for us. Things went on the way they usually did. But later that year, things started to go down hill for him. His mother "Susan Simpson" had lost her job. Things were rough now and they would have to move. She had met someone on-line who she fell in love with and she was thinking of moving in with him up to Seguin where he lived. And they did. When Christmas came around, it was time to move. It was hard to say goodbye. I spent the last night there and in the morning, I said my last goodbyes and watched as they left the driveway, down to the end of the street. And then around the corner. That was the last time I saw Freddy alive. We kept in touch over the phone and we talked On-line. We started making plans to go to Canada with my dad this year. We were looking forward so much on going on this trip. But as Feburary rolled around, he had his last birthday. He had just turned 16 and he was going to get his license soon. But on Thursday, Feburary 25, 1999 at 2:00 P.M., Freddy was walking down the hall in his school and he was having a hard time breathing. Then he collapsed. On the way to the Hospital, Freddy had died. With his asthma and weight, his heart just couldn't take it any more. When I found out, I just broke down. It was like I lost a part of me. We were brothers to each other. We never kept secrets from each other. We told each other everything. And we were always there for each other. Freddy had so much to look forward to in life. A beautiful wife, Children, and a succcessful job and many other surprizes that life had to offer. But God put him on this Earth for a certain amount of years just like he did for everyone else, and 16 was his last. I took the honor of being a Pallbearer (Casket Carrier) along with John Jason at the funeral and I paid my respects to his family, which in a way was mine also mine. Freddy was the best friend anyone could ever have. I was honored to have that privilege for so many years. I have so many things that I needed to tell you Freddy. I will miss you Freddy greatly and no one could ever be a friend to me like you were. I love you with all my heart and I will never forget you. Rest in peace my friend. I hope you will be waiting for me at the gates of Heaven when I get there.
Love your Best Friend for the Rest of My Life,
Philip Michael Gardner
Take sometime to come see my page: Philip's Space
