Rev. Vily Arlen Guidroz Sr.

Reverend Vily Arlen Guidroz, Sr, finished his earthly Christian life on August 22, 2018, at Medical City Plano when he was ushered into the heavenly presence of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He gave his heart to Jesus at age 9 and received the baptism of the Holy Ghost at age 15. Arlen, known as “Bud” to his friends and family, was born on July 26, 1934, in New London, TX to Reverend Vily Able and Dora (Raggio) Guidroz. He married Robbie Dee Fuller of West Monroe, LA on September 21, 1956. They were blessed with a very happy marriage for almost 62 years. He is survived by his wife, Robbie, of Dallas, TX; one son, Vily Arlen Guidroz, Jr of Lewisville, TX and his wife Cindy (Torres) Guidroz; one daughter, Elizabeth Grace Goodine, of Madison, MS and her husband Wayne Harold Goodine; one grandson, Bradley Wayne Goodine, of Houston, TX; and one granddaughter, Bethany Elise Cranfield, of Dallas, TX and her husband Jordan Cranfield, and their two children David Jarrett Cranfield and Zara Elise Cranfield. He is also survived by his sister Billye Joy High of Houston, TX; sister Jewel Rae (Judy) Frahm of Bay City, TX; sister Wanda Hope Hammer and her husband Wayne Hammer of Boerne, TX; brother Reverend Ronald Leslie Guidroz and his wife Jerry Ann Guidroz of Cypress, TX; his sister-in-law Bethany Guidroz of Sulphur, LA, wife of his deceased brother, Reverend Lowell David (Happy) Guidroz; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Reverend Vily Able Guidroz; his mother, Dora Emily (Raggio) Guidroz; his sisters Glory Lois Allahverani, Grace Opal Guidroz, and Lilly Faith Bunch; and his brother Reverend Lowell David Guidroz. His father, Reverend VA Guidroz, was an illustrious and notable Pentecostal preacher, pastor, and leader. They moved their family, along with Arlen, from New London, TX a few months prior to the tragic school explosion in 1935 which took the lives of 350 or more children and teachers. Arlen’s hometown was Baytown, TX where he entered grade school and graduated from Robert E Lee High school in 1952. He then attended Apostolic Bible Institute in St Paul, MN for 2 ½ years before entering the full time ministry with the United Pentecostal Church International. His ministerial assignments included being called as Assistant Pastor to notable Pentecostal pastors JT and Bessie Pugh in Port Arthur, TX in 1954 and to GA and Vesta Mangun in Alexandria, LA in 1960. Arlen and Robbie were pastors of Faith Tabernacle, Gladewater, TX for 2 ½ years, where their son Arlen, Jr was born. They also served as pastors of First Pentecostal Church, DeRidder, LA for 9 years, where their daughter Elizabeth was born. Arlen served in the General Home Missions Division of the United Pentecostal Church International at the World Evangelism Center in Hazelwood, MO for 7 ½ years. He was elected General Home Missions Director with responsibilities across the USA and Canada. He served four years on the General Board and Executive Board of the United Pentecostal Church International. Arlen served again on the UPCI General Board for a two-year term as South Central Regional Presbyter. He served on the Board of Directors of Lighthouse Ranch for Boys, Loranger, LA and as Secretary for many years. Arlen and Robbie Guidroz were elected as Pastors of The Life Church, which is currently located at 18610 Marsh Lane at President George Bush Turnpike, Dallas, TX in July, 1978, where they served for 35 years. He was promoted to the office of Bishop of The Life Church on June 4, 2013, and held this office until his death. A memorial service will be held at The Life Church, 18610 Marsh Lane, Dallas, TX, at 7:00 PM on Monday, August 27, 2018, preceded by visitation from 4:00 to 7:00. Interment will be on Tuesday, August 28 at Brookside Memorial Gardens, Highway 59 North at Lauder Road, Houston, TX at 3:00 PM in the Garden of Peace. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Life Church Building Fund, 18610 Marsh Lane, Dallas, TX 75229, or to Lighthouse Ranch For Boys, Inc, 5143 Hwy 443 / PO Box 238, Loranger, LA 70446.

Rev. Vily Arlen Guidroz Sr.

July 26, 1934 - August 22, 2018