Benjamin "Benny" Gutierrez

Benjamin A. Gutierrez (Benny) passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on December 5th, 2014. He was born on August 5th, 1956 in Las Cruces, NM to Betty Lou and Rev. Manuel L. Gutierrez. The family relocated to Washington State in 1968 and he graduated from A.C. Davis High School in 1974. Benny managed the family’s chain of La Hacienda restaurants before going to work for the city of Yakima Transit. He was married to Jessie Escobedo in 1975 and they were blessed with a daughter, Janelle, in 1979.

Benny recently married Susie Nunez-Gutierrez on December 4, 2014 here in Yakima. He met her at a car show in the early 1990’s and always said that he fell in love with her the day he first saw her and that someday he would marry her.

One of his favorite past times was working on classic cars and going to all the car shows he could make it to. He was a member of the Vintiques of Yakima and the New Illusion Lowrider Car Club. Sports were also a favorite past time and the Oakland Raiders were his favorite football team. He would sport his Raiders attire proudly in a town full of Seahawks fans without a second thought. He cherished spending time with his daughter and grandkids, especially Christmas day when the tradition of waking early and opening presents together was something that was always looked forward to. Benny cared for and loved his family very much. He was devoted to them and the memories made will never be forgotten. When it came to his grandchildren, he was always there to cheer them on in all that they did whether it be sports, the school programs, or watching a movie with them.

Benjamin is survived by his mother, Betty Lou Gutierrez, daughter Janelle (Edgar) Larios and their children Edgar Jr, Alexys, and Emanuel Larios. His wife, Susie Nunez-Guiterez and her daughter Erika (Luis) Aracena and their children Anissa and Luis Aracena, Son Michael (Janessa) Cervantes and their children Michael and Jazzelle, his brothers, Joel Gutierrez, Noe (Margaret Luera) Gutierrez, sister Anna (Randy) Gutierrez-Green. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews and his lifelong friend who Benny considered to be a brother, Rodrigo “Larry” Ramirez.

He was preceded in death by his father, Rev. Manuel L. Gutierrez.

Visitation and viewing will be tomorrow and Friday in the Keith & Keith Funeral Home from 4:00pm to 8:00pm.

Funeral services will be conducted Saturday December 13, 2014 at 10:00 am in the Templo Jerusalen located at 1014 S. Fair Avenue.

Concluding services and burial will follow in the Terrace Heights Memorial Park.

To share a memory of Benny please visit www.keithandkeith.com