JUAN C. GUTIERREZ On the morning of February 28, 2023, Juan C. Gutierrez passed away peacefully from a short illness with family by his side. He was born on October 10, 1945, in Alice, Texas, to Esequiel L. Gutierrez and Rosa C. Gutierrez, the fourth of seven children. After graduating from Alice High School, he joined the Navy, set sail through Europe then transferred to the Naval Reserve. He continued his service by working at the Navy base in Kingsville as a certified pipe fitter. He was very proud of the years of service spent with the Navy and often told stories about it. He spent much of his time living in Alice with family and a few years as a resident of Kingsville. Growing up, Juan loved listening and playing music with his brothers and friends, even joined a few local bands in Alice. He spent any chance he had with family, enjoyed the time with nieces and nephews who knew him as Tio Juan and Tio Bobo. To his friends, known as Johnny, he always looked forward to meeting them for their daily breakfast at the local restaurants. He was quite the craftsman, designing his own furniture and knifemaking. He always had his one-of-a-kind notepad in his pocket to scribble down ideas. Juan is preceded in death by his parents Esequiel and Rosa Gutierrez, one sister Maria Lucia Gutierrez, three brothers Esequiel “Ike” Gutierrez Jr, Ruben “Canano” Gutierrez Sr., and Rene Rolando “Meyaya” Gutierrez. Survivors include his two sisters, Irma “Pocha” Casas Gutierrez and Rosa E. “Jare” Villarreal and two sisters-in-law, Idolina “Kookie” Gutierrez and Osvelia “Belia” Gutierrez, all of Alice, and his five nieces and nephews: Eduardo (Velma) Gutierrez, Esequiel “Ike” Gutierrez, Enedina “Nani” (Oscar) G. Lozano, Annette R. Villarreal, and Ruben Gutierrez, Jr. Visitation was held Monday, March 6, 2023, from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. at Rosas Funeral Home with a rosary to recited at 12 p.m. that same day. A funeral mass followed and was celebrated at 2 p.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Burial followed at New Collins Cemetery with military honors by the United Veteran’s Burial association. Rosas Funeral Home entrusted with arrangements.
