John Primitivo Zepeda

Primitivo Zepeda passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loved ones, on December 3rd,

2025. He leaves behind his devoted wife of 56 years, Sylvia Zepeda; his beloved daughter

Amanda Rose Gordon and son-in-law Zachary Edward Gordon; and his cherished

granddaughters, Alexandria Rae and Sydney Meryn Gordon. He is also survived by his brothers

David, Joe, and Roy Zepeda, and his sisters Emily Albarran, Sara Garza, and Esther Salazar.

John is preceded in death by his beloved daughter, Sonia Rae Zepeda; his brothers Hector,

Marcelo, Vicente, and Domingo Zepeda; and his sister Mary Villareal.

Born on May 7th, 1947, in Houston, TX, to Vicente and Bertha Zepeda, John grew up in a close

knit family that shaped his lifelong devotion to community and service. He graduated from Jeff

Davis High School in 1966 and married his high school sweetheart, Sylvia, in 1969, a love story

that stood as a constant source of strength, joy, and partnership through more than five decades.

John proudly served in the United States Army as a medic from 1966-1968, carrying with him

the compassion, steadiness, and courage that defined his life. He was a kind, loving, generous,

and witty man who never hesitated to lift others with a warm smile or a well thought out joke. He

loved singing; often filling family gatherings with music, spending time with those he treasured

most, and offering a helping hand to anyone in need. John truly never met a stranger; he had a

gift for making everyone feel welcomed, valued, and seen.

He was deeply rooted in his community and an active, dedicated member of St. Patrick's

Catholic Church, the Jefferson Davis Hispanic Organization, and Sabor de Northside. He also

served as a commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, an officer of the Chamber of

Commerce, and lent his passion and leadership to the LULAC Convention and many other civic

organizations. John believed in giving back, and his legacy of service continues in the countless

lives he touched.

A rosary will be held on Tuesday, December 9th, 2025, at 6:30 PM at Immaculate Conception

Catholic Church. A funeral mass will follow on Wednesday, December 10th, 2025, at 9:30 AM,

with interment at the Houston National Cemetery at 11:15 AM. A reception will take place

afterward at 1:00 PM at American Legion Post 560, located at 3720 Alba Rd, Houston, TX

77018. All are welcome to attend and celebrate John's life.

The family would like to express their heartfelt appreciation to everyone gathering to honor and

remember John. He was a wonderful man, steadfast in his faith, unwavering in his kindness, and

endlessly generous with his time and heart. His memory will forever live on in the love he gave

and the lives he brightened.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.