Nestor Sevilla Bazan, age 91, resident of Allen, Texas, passed away peacefully into the arms of his Lord on Tuesday, June 24, 2014. He was born April 2, 1923 in Tampico, Tamaulipas, Mexico to Esteban Sevilla and Amelia Bazan. Nestor attended the Business Academy of Tampico and then served as an Engineering Department Transcoder in the Signal Corps in the Military Academy of Mexico. Soon after, Nestor heard the call of the Lord and moved to the United States to work in the ministry with his uncle Demetrio Bazan, Sr. In his new home of El Paso, TX, he attended the Latin American Bible Institute and began his biblical studies. He began his ministry as co-pastor in Kingsville, TX in 1945. Nestor married his sweetheart, Celia Beatrice Gallegos on September 12, 1948 in Salt Lake City, Utah. During their more than 50 years in the ministry, Nestor and Celia pastored in Dragerton, UT, Center, CO, Salt Lake City, UT, Albuquerque, NM, Phoenix, AZ, Carlsbad, CA, and Rio Hondo, TX. He also served as a teacher at Latin American Bible Institute in El Paso, TX, as Sectional and Executive Presbyter of the Central Latin American District Council, and spent eight years as the district Superintendent. As a pastor, Nestor cared deeply for the members of his congregation and took great pride in keeping his churches well maintained and cared for. He was known as a “builder of churches,” both spiritually and physically and as a great “shepherd.” Nestor was a wonderful Bible teacher who enjoyed studying God’s word, especially prophecy. He cared for his community as well, implementing various outreach programs to reach the needs of those around him. His wife Celia was always by his side, playing the piano, organizing choirs and cantatas, and counseling youth and young adults. Nestor continued to teach and preach well into his retirement from full-time ministry, preaching often at various churches, and serving as interim pastor for churches in Uvalde, TX and Rio Hondo, TX.
Nestor was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. A hard worker, he never left things unkempt or undone. He enjoyed jokes and making others laugh. He was a “jack of all trades,” skilled in carpentry, drawing, and painting. Nestor was always active, whether it was building things around his churches, playing sports with the youth, doing yard work around his home, or walking 18 holes of golf. He enjoyed keeping up with the news and politics and watching old westerns.
He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Celia Beatrice Gallegos Bazan; daughters, Olga Patricia Correa and husband, Steve, Sandra Marveen Trevino and husband Dan, and Yolanda Amelia Benson and husband, David; six grandchildren, Bert, Tonya, Jennifer, Celina, Nycala, and Paige; seven great-grandchildren, Shanel, Natalie, Lauren, Taylor, Alec, Austin, and Olivia; and one great-great-grandchild, Makenna.
Nestor was survived by his brother, Moises Bazan from Amarillo, TX.
A memorial service with viewing will be held 6:30 p.m., Sunday, June 29, 2014 at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home, 2525 Central Expressway North, Allen, TX, 75013.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held 10:00 a.m., Monday, June 30, at Hope Fellowship East, 9950 Rolater Rd., Frisco, TX.