Jose G. Sierra Sr. "Guy"

The Ysleta del Sur Pueblo (YDSP), home to 5,614 enrolled citizens, announces with deep sorrow the passing of our spiritual leader, Cacique Jose G. Sierra Sr., who served the Pueblo with honor, wisdom, and devotion. The Cacique, a life-long appointment within the Tribal Council, holds the highest spiritual authority in guiding the Pueblo’s ceremonies, culture, and sacred traditions. Cacique Sierra passed away peacefully at his Pueblo home on August 16, 2025. Jose G. Sierra Sr. - "Guy" is survived by his beloved wife, Irma Caballero Sierra; his children, Jose Sierra Jr. (Lory Granillo), Karl Maahs, Rebecca Sierra Gomez, Yvette Hinojos (Enrique "Kiki" Hinojos Jr.) and Luisa Sierra. Also survived by his sister, Gloria Boykin along with 22 grandchildren and 29 great grandchildren, who will honor and cherish his memory.

Life and Leadership

Born in 1943, a difficult chapter in Tigua history, Cacique Sierra drew strength from both hardship and heritage. The son of Abelino Sierra and Luisa Granillo, he faced the loss of his mother at a young age, yet answered life’s challenges with resilience and responsibility, leaving grade school to help support his family. Guided by revered Pueblo elders—Trinidad Granillo, Jose Granillo, and Pablo Silvas—he absorbed their teachings of love, compassion, ceremony, kinship, and community, which became the enduring foundation of his leadership and service to the Tigua people.

Jose Sierra Sr. grew up to become a bridge between his Pueblo and the wider world. For three decades, he served the El Paso Convention & Visitors Bureau—today known as Destination El Paso—where he worked closely with the city’s film office as a site locator (location scout). In this role, he helped film productions find the desert vistas, historic neighborhoods, and borderland textures that brought El Paso’s unique identity to the screen. His role often brought him into contact with celebrities and dignitaries, including Chuck Norris, Johnny Depp, and even Queen Elizabeth II, all of whom were welcomed into his home with legendary hospitality and generosity.

Sierra dedicated his life to serving the Tigua people. Before assuming his role as Cacique in 2017, he held multiple leadership positions within the Pueblo, including Governor, Alguacil (Traditional Sheriff), Tribal Judge, and Mayordomo. As Governor in the 1970s, he helped establish significant community assets such as the Tigua Indian Cultural Center, the Tigua Spice Plant, and the Tigua Indian Housing Community, laying a foundation for cultural preservation and economic development. His leadership extended to securing federal and state recognition for Ysleta del Sur Pueblo in the late 1980s, ensuring the tribe’s survival and continuity.

In addition to his professional and tribal leadership, Sierra was known for his world travels and his deep pride in representing his Tigua heritage wherever he went. He was especially celebrated for his traditional cooking—his signature red chili and Indian bread became symbols of his generosity and cultural pride, shared at gatherings large and small.

Commitment to the Children and Community 

Cacique Sierra was deeply passionate about the well-being and education of the Pueblo’s children, believing that the strength of the Tigua people rests with the younger generations. He consistently supported programs and efforts to improve opportunities for youth, ensuring that they were prepared to lead with knowledge and cultural grounding.

Known for being a firm leader with a hospitable nature, Cacique Sierra embodied the Pueblo’s values of generosity and kinship. His home was everyone’s home, and he had a special way of making every visitor feel like family. He was also a gifted storyteller, weaving history, humor, and wisdom into stories that connected people to their heritage and to each other.

Spiritual Guidance and Legacy 

Upon becoming Cacique, Sierra embraced the sacred responsibility of leading the Pueblo’s spiritual life, ceremonies, and traditions. His prayers, teachings, and presence grounded the Pueblo, uniting citizens in times of both celebration and challenge. Under his leadership, the Pueblo celebrated landmark achievements, including the U.S. Supreme Court ruling affirming the Pueblo’s gaming rights, the establishment of a state-of-the-art healthcare clinic, the creation of a new early learning center, the development of new housing, and the repatriation of Pueblo artifacts that had been held in the Netherlands for over 140 years.

Cacique Sierra will be remembered as a guardian of Tigua traditions, a mentor to future leaders, a master storyteller, and a beloved elder whose strength and kindness left an indelible mark. His passing leaves a profound void, yet his legacy of leadership, compassion, and spiritual guidance will endure in the heart of the Pueblo.

The Ysleta del Sur Pueblo extends prayers and condolences to the Sierra family and to all community members mourning the loss of our esteemed leader. Married to his beloved wife Irma for 61 years, Cacique Sierra built a strong and enduring family legacy, blessed with five children, 22 grandchildren, and 29 great-grandchildren who carry forward his values and traditions.

Hawu and Hherkum (Thank you), Cacique Sierra. 

Your wisdom and spirit will forever guide Ysleta del Sur Pueblo.

A Message from Governor E. Michael Silvas 

“The loss of Cacique Sierra is a deep wound for the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo. His wisdom, generosity, and devotion to our people guided us through triumphs and challenges alike. We mourn not only the passing of a great leader but the absence of his presence, which brought us so much strength. Though our Pueblo grieves this profound void, we will carry forward his legacy with the same passion, faith, and determination that defined his life.”

A Visitation will be held from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM with a Rosary starting at 7:00 PM on Monday, August 25, 2025 at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Mission, 131 S Zaragoza Rd, El Paso, TX 79907. A Mass will be held at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, August 26, 2025 at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Mission. A Graveside Service will follow at 12:00 PM at Mount Carmel Cemetery, 401 S Zaragoza Rd, El Paso, TX 79907.

Services entrusted to Sunset Funeral Home - Americas