Gustavo Enrique Capote Fernandez

Gustavo Enrique Capote Fernandez, beloved husband, father, stepfather, son, brother, and friend, passed away after a long struggle with illness. He was born in Caracas, Venezuela, where he first distinguished himself as both a gifted student and a talented athlete. He studied civil engineering in Caracas and played for the Venezuelan national soccer team until a career-ending injury changed the course of his life.

Never one to be defined by a single path, Gustavo moved to Barcelona to continue his graduate studies in animation, and later settled in England, where he built a remarkable career in film production. His work included animation on feature films and creative contributions to advertising campaigns, and he brought both technical skill and artistic vision to everything he touched.

While living in England, Gustavo welcomed his children, Fernanda Isabelle and Mattias Andres Capote Becerra, who became the center of his world. During those early years, he traveled often for work, and he later earned a second master's degree in film production to complement his prior studies. In 2015, he moved to Los Angeles and made a profound and loving shift in his life, choosing to center his children more fully. He was incredibly proud of that decision, and of the father he became.

Gustavo coached his children's soccer, basketball, and flag football teams, and became an involved and generous presence in his community through service. In 2023, he moved to Phoenix, where he devoted his final years to the intense and deeply personal project of designing and renovating the family home. That work frustrated him, motivated him, and inspired him in equal measure, and the house became one of his proudest achievements.

He was an artist and a creative soul, a brilliant mathematical mind, a family man, a fabulous cook, and a generous giver. In his final years, Gustavo faced the challenges of Cushing's disease and its many complications with determination and resilience. The burdens of illness brought difficult chapters, but also moments of reflection, growth, humility, and deeper understanding. Even through hardship, he continued striving to become a better man, husband, father, and friend.

His dreams for the future were simple and heartfelt: to create more art, to continue building beauty around him, and one day to watch his grandchildren play in the backyard that became his pride and joy.

He is survived by his children, Fernanda Isabelle Capote Becerra and Mattias Andres Capote Becerra, who were the greatest pride and joy of his life; his wife, Martha Masters; his stepchildren, Kathleen Kugler, Sarah Kugler, and Jack Kugler; his mother, Emelda Fernandez Espinoza; and his siblings, Carlos Enrique Capote Fernandez, Jesus Enrique Capote Fernandez, and Carla Dayana Capote Ovalles. He was preceded in death by his father, Carlos Enrique Capote Negrin, and his brother, Luis Enrique Capote Fernandez.

The family would also like to recognize Gustavo's steadfast friend, Tom Rowe, whose loyalty, friendship, and companionship remained a source of strength and comfort to him until the very end.

Gustavo will be remembered for his creativity, generosity, determination, and love of family. We share here one of his favorite recent works of art, along with a photo of the backyard koi pond he and his son Mattias built together—a lasting symbol of the beauty, imagination, and devotion that he brought to the people and projects he loved.

A private family remembrance will be held.