Eric Nathan Guel

It is with profound sadness we announce the passing of Eric Nathan Guel, Sr. Eric passed away unexpectedly in his home on July 26, 2026, at the age of 50.

Visitation will be held Monday, August 3, 2026, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home. Services will be held Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at Christ Church. A private family burial will be at Oakwood Cemetery.

Eric was born on June 10, 1976, in Houston, Texas, to Rev. Dr. David N. Guel and Cecilia Miranda Guel. He was the second of three children and loved making his family and friends laugh with jokes and silly antics. He spent hours riding his bike through the neighborhood, playing with his brother and their friends, and enjoying everyday life. He loved coming up with nicknames for friends and family, and even proudly embraced his own childhood nickname, Bird. To this day, many still know him as, and call him, Bird.

Eric discovered a love for photography in high school and continued to pursue that passion post-graduation. He graduated from Baylor University, earning degrees in both photojournalism and political science. While there he met the love of his life, Brandi. Married at the tender ages of 21 and 22, they grew up together and over the course of their 28-year marriage, they learned the depth of friendship that comes from devotion to one another through life’s peaks and valleys. The Lord abundantly blessed them with seven incredible and unique children, who were the greatest delight of their marriage.

Eric worked many jobs throughout the years to provide for his family, giving Brandi the gift of staying home to raise their children, which she will always treasure. Over the years his passion for and skill in photography grew. He built a thriving commercial photography business based on excellence, combining his skills of photographic artistry, business expertise, and relational connections. His ability to capture the emotion of everyday moments was unmatched and is what made him a much sought after event photographer.

Eric leaves behind a legacy of love and laughter. Brandi and his children were his foremost priority, and he worked hard every day to show them how much he loved them. He made time every weekend he was home to have a date night with Brandi, which he considered his favorite night of the week. He also enjoyed making time to individually connect with his children, whether it was going to the park, having a meal, or attending a sporting event. Thankfully, many of these memories were documented with photos he shot.

Above all else, Eric loved the Lord and was keenly aware of the love and grace extended to him through Christ Jesus. Growing up as a preacher’s kid, he was blessed to be raised by parents who modeled firsthand what it meant to love God and love people. A follower of Jesus since childhood, Eric sought to learn what it means to worship in spirit and in truth (John 4:24). Church community has always been a priority to Eric. He was fortunate to grow deep roots in his love for Jesus as he learned the depths of Jesus’s love for him as a member of Antioch Community Church in his early adult years. More recently, he has savored the beauty of the liturgy and sacramental life at Christ Church Waco. The people of Christ Church have been a beloved spiritual family for Eric, Brandi, and the children.

Eric will be dearly missed, but his family and friends will fondly think of him when they see one of his photos, listen to U2, play a game of chess, eat a bowl of menudo, or hear about Bigfoot sightings.

Eric was preceded in death by his parents, David N. Guel and Cecilia Guel; his mother-in-law, Frances Stripling; and his grandparents, U.M. and Mae Miranda, and Jimmy and Virginia Castillo.

He is survived by his loving wife, Brandi Guel; his seven children – Nathan, Daniel, Abigail, Evangeline, Joshua, Hannah, and Mary; brother David S. Guel and his wife Lauren; and sister Deborah Guel.

In memory of Eric, the family asks that donations be sent to Mission Waco to support their Creekside Community Village. https://missionwaco.givecloud.co

We invite you to leave a message or memory of Eric in his Memorial Guestbook at www.WHBfamily.com.