Frank Gutierrez

Frank Gutierrez - Obituary Frank Gutierrez, 92 of Larned, Kansas, El Paso, Texas, and Santa Fe, New Mexico, passed away suddenly but quietly and peacefully with his wife, younger brother, and niece by his side on November 12, 2018 in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Frank is survived by his wife of 67 years Teruko “Kay” Gutierrez, sons Roberto and wife Gay Nell of Austin, TX, David and wife Lori Anne Picarazzi of Hampton, NH, daughters Cindy and partner Steve Reed of Santa Fe, NM, and Mary Dolman also of Santa Fe; six grandchildren Jason, Becky, Tyler & Mark Gutierrez and Sarah & David Oliver and great grandchildren Korbyn and Zoey Gutierrez; sisters Jessie, Carmen and brothers Apolinar, Leonard and Gilbert, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Jose and Maria, son Michael and brothers Manuel, Ruben, Jose Jr. and sisters Leonore and Severina. Frank was born on April 17th, 1926; one of thirteen children to Jose and Maria Gutierrez, and grew up in Larned, Kansas. A child of Mexican immigrants during the depression, he sold newspapers on the street corner in Winter and picked sugar beets in the Summer. He served honorably in the U.S. Army during WWII, the occupation of Japan, and the Korean conflict. He was trained as a paratrooper and served in the airborne infantry. In Korea, as a corporal in the 7th Infantry Division, he participated in the amphibious landing at Inchon; the push through North Korea, and the retreat south from the Yalu River. While stationed in Japan, he became fluent in Japanese and met his wife Kay. Upon returning home to El Paso, Texas, he became a firefighter at White Sands Missile Range and rose to the rank of Assistant Fire Chief. He served as a civil servant and first responder for 24 years. Frank loved Japan, traveled there often, and created Japanese gardens with koi ponds and bonsai trees at home. Always curious and self-taught, he collected antiques and read voraciously. Frank passed on his love of the outdoors - including fly fishing, camping, and skiing - to his children and grandchildren. A visitation will be held from 5:30pm on Thursday, November 15 at the Rivera Family Funeral Home at 417 Rodeo Road in Santa Fe followed by a memorial service at 6:30pm. On Friday, November 16 at 9:30am, Frank will be laid to rest in the Santa Fe National Cemetery. He is finally at Peace.