Eddie P. Ujueta

Our beloved brother, Eddie Ujueta born in Bogotá, Colombia, South America, on September 9, 1950 went home to be with his Lord and Savior on July 24, 2005. He was preceded in death by his parents Manuel and Luz Ujueta, and brothers Rafael, John, Marcos, and James. He is survived by brothers Manuel and wife Nancy, Albert and wife Vicky, Louie and wife Mercy, Ivan and wife Terri, and brother Ernie Ujueta. He is also survived by sister Mary Perullo and husband Jerry, and sisters Lucie and Eliana. Eddie also leaves behind sons Eddie and Jonathan and numerous nephews, nieces and cousins. Eddie arrived in New York City with his family at the age of 9 years old. His career was in the field of construction. Although he did not go through formal apprenticeship in carpentry he became a skilled craftsman through his sheer willpower and determination. There were many things in Eddie’s life that gave him great joy. A few of them were his family, landscaping, listening to music, and reading and listening to the Word of God. Eddie also had a love for running, participating in at least six full marathons. Eddie’s thirst for life perpetuated through the various plants he had. One of his last wishes was for his family to dedicate an oak tree at Family Vision Center, and place on it a plaque in memory of his brothers who had passed on before him. Eddie had a wonderful sense of humor. Regardless of stressful situations he always managed somehow to twist in a joke, making us chuckle at his perception of the situation. He has touched many hearts with his humor and his smile. At the age of 36, Eddie accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior and strived to live in the Christian faith as much as he thought humanly possible. In his early years of life he became addicted to heroin, a drug that very few people ever stop using, but 19 years ago, as a result of coming to Christ Jesus, Eddie was set free from drugs and developed a mindset never to look back on that way of life. He was committed to live drug-free and to improve the quality of his life and the life of those around him. Eddie’s commitment to staying clean from drugs was so strong that in his last two weeks of life he refused to take prescribed morphine for relief of extreme pain for fear of addiction. It took the doctors some time to convince him that he had nothing to worry about and that it was important for him to be comfortable and pain-free. Eddie, many times, was ready to give advice and counsel, sharing his life with others, saying, “according to my school of hard knocks.” Eddie recognized Family Vision Center as his church and enjoyed working on many church projects with his brother, Pastor Ivan. Eddie’s final days were ones of reflection and prayer, and loving memories of his family and many loved ones who had touched his life and his heart. We send our sincere thanks to ALL of the staff of University Hospital, Cancer and Therapy Research Center, Vitas Hospice, and especially to Dr. Delia Bullock, UTHSC, for her genuine concern and care for our brother. Some of Eddie’s favorite Bible verses are: Psalm 118:24 – This is the day that the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. Corinthians 9:24 – Know ye not that they which run the race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. Romans 6:23 - For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.