Gene L. Gutierrez

Gene L. Gutierrez, 86 of Santa Rosa, NM, passed away peacefully, with his family at his side, on February 8, 2023. 

Gene was born on May 17, 1936 in Santa Rosa, NM to Gonzalo Gutierrez and Donaciana (Ortega) Gutierrez.  Gene was raised in Santa Rosa, where he also attended school and graduated from Santa Rosa High School.  While in high school, Gene was a proud member of the 1955 Santa Rosa Lions State Basketball Championship Team.  Following high school, Gene enlisted in the US Army and was honorably discharged after 3 years of service.  While in the Army, Gene was on the Nike Missile Battery in Seattle, Washington.  Gene then married the former Ernestine Lucero in June of 1956.  A life-long resident of Santa Rosa, Gene’s work history took him in many directions: he worked in the Guadalupe County Assessors office in Santa Rosa, he worked on major construction projects in Santa Rosa, such as Santa Rosa Lake Dam and the construction of I-40, as well as in insurance and as a meat cutter.  Furthermore, Gene was a parishioner at Saint Rose of Lima Catholic Church. 

Gene was a member of the American Legion, Post 25 in Clovis, NM and an avid sports fan, following the Steelers, Yankees, Notre Dame, Lobos and a loyal Santa Rosa Lions fan.  Gene loved fishing, and truly enjoyed the time he spent with his family and friends.  In his spare time, Gene enjoyed word find puzzles and reading The Communicator from the first word to the last—start to finish!  Gene also loved Power Dam as a place of refuge.

Gene is preceded in death by his parents, his siblings: Joe L. Gutierrez, Manuel Gutierrez, Carlos Gutierrez, Ramona Jiron and Mary Sisneros, and his granddaughter: Gina Jo Sena.

Gene is survived by his loving wife of 66 years: Ernestine, his brother: Tony Gutierrez, his children: Gene (Joann) Gutierrez, Jr., JoAnne (Billy) York, LeRoy (Gail) Gutierrez, Sandra (Ed) Gannon and Inez Gutierrez, his grandchildren: Jaime (Aaron), Janelle, Joslin (Nick), Tarryn, Evan (Erika), Jasmine (Nick), Shanice (Derrick), Jereka (Kaden) and Johnny and his great-grandchildren: Chloe, Noah, Elyse, Kaiven, Ava and Kamila, as well as numerous nephews, nieces, family and friends.

Recitation of The Most Holy Rosary, followed by The Mass of Christian Burial will be Thursday, February 16, 2023 at 10AM at Saint Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Santa Rosa, officiated by Father Sotero Sena.

Interment will follow at Saint Joseph Cemetery, in Santa Rosa, with Moises Herrera, Jody Doster, Arnold Campos, Johnny Jimenez, III, Nelson Kotiar and Aaron Montoya serving as Pallbearers.

Services are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home, 923 S. Third St., Santa Rosa, NM 88435.  575-472-3369.  To place an online condolence or tribute, please visit www.chavezfuneralhome.com.