Born and raised in Olmito, Texas, Rafael graduated from San Benito High School in 1962. While in high school, he met the love of his life, Valentina Pena, at El Mesquiton. After graduation, he attended Allied School of Mechanical Trade in Chicago, Illinois. While in Chicago he married Valentina, on December 29, 1962.
They returned to the valley and raised their family in Olmito. In 1979, he created his legacy, Sunwave A/C. Rafael enjoyed building his business and taking of care of people and his family. When he wasn’t working, he enjoyed deer hunting, wood working, which included a few spec homes, and DIY projects around the house. In his retirement, he became a great cook as well.
He was an amazing husband, father, grandfather, provider, business man and friend. We will miss his smile, his jokes, his generosity, his counsel, and his menudo and homemade sweet bread.
He was preceded in death by his parents Tomas and Luisa Gutierrez; his siblings Rosa Griswold, Jose Gutierrez, Aurora Gutierrez, Luisa (Peewee) Cortez, Angela Villarreal, and Ana James; and his niece, Cynthia Lynn Cortez.
He is survived by his beautiful wife of 60 years Valentina Pena Gutierrez; his children, Sonya Liz Garza and her husband Armando; Sandra Lee Garcia and her husband Adan; Tomas Gutierrez and his wife Erica; Tina Burnias and her husband Merced, Jr.; and his 10 grandchildren, Nathaniel Garza, Nicholas Ryan Garza, Armando Noah Garza, Sierra Lorraine Garcia, Alexandra Lee Garcia, Alexis Gutierrez, Aliyah Gutierrez, Alyssa Gutierrez, Ileana Arminda Burnias, and Orlando Rafael Burnias.
Visitation will be held at Del Angel Buena Vista Funeral Home, 125 McDavitt Blvd in Brownsville, TX, on Friday, February 17, 2023, starting at 1:00 pm, with a prayer service and celebration of life at 7:00 pm.
A Holy Mass will be held in Olmito at Our Heavenly Father Catholic Church on Saturday, February 18, 2023 at 10:30 am. Burial will follow at Buena Vista Burial Park at 11:30 am.
Pallbearers are his nephews: Charles Cortez, Chris Cortez, Abel Perales, Andres Perales; and grandsons: Nathaniel Garza, Nicholas Garza, Orlando Burnias and Armando Garza.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.funerariadelangelbuenavista.com for the Gutierrez family.
