Antonio Gutierrez

Antonio "Tony" Gutierrez, born Nov. 17, 1920, passed away peacefully at 3:35 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 18, 2010, at The Carpenter House of St. Joseph Hospice surrounded by his family. He was a resident of Gonzales and a native of Brownsville, Texas. There will be a visitation at St. Theresa of Avila Catholic Church, Gonzales, on Tuesday, Sept. 21, from 8 a.m. until a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m., with the Rev. Gary Belsome, celebrant. Entombment in Hope Haven Garden of Memory Cemetery, Gonzales. He was retired from Ormet Corp. in Burnside where he worked after relocating his family to Gonzales from Brownsville in 1957. Tony Gutierrez served our country during World War II as a fighter plane crew chief in the 308th Pursuit Squadron, U.S. Army Air Corps. He was involved in the Rome-Arno air offensive in Europe and Southern France. His unit participated in the air offensives in Algeria, French Morocco, Tunisia, Sicily, Balkans, northern France and the Rhineland. He enlisted Oct. 30, 1940, and returned from war April 29, 1945, having spent three years overseas. He is survived by his wife, Emma G. Zavaleta Gutierrez, of Gonzales, and native of Brownsville; and two sisters, Elizabeth Williams, her husband, Berl, and Olga Gavito, all of Brownsville. Tony and Emma enjoyed 62 years of marriage together and were blessed with eight children: daughters, Conchita Richey and husband Terry, Emmita Templet and husband Troy, Melissa Sanchez and husband Jimmy, and Melinda Gutierrez; and sons, Johnny Gutierrez and wife Kulliki, George "Laco" Gutierrez and wife Lydia, Gus Gutierrez and wife Paige, all of Gonzales, and Jay Gutierrez and wife Amy, of League City, Texas. He was also blessed with 16 grandchildren, Ty Richey and wife Jennifer, Amy Underwood and husband Brent, Felicia Gutierrez Donley and husband Chris, Toni Gutierrez Ornquist and husband Jeremiah, Gena Gutierrez Wiggins and husband David, Joseph Gutierrez, Karly Gutierrez, Bryan Haydel and wife Kristie, Angela Duhe and husband Damon, Chase Gutierrez, Collin Gutierrez, Alecia Gutierrez, Gabrielle Gutierrez, Gus Gutierrez, Allie Amedee and Bradley Sanchez; and 13 great-grandchildren, Emily Richey, Sarah Richey, Madison Underwood, Mary Kathyrn Underwood, Maria Underwood, Brielle Haydel, Briley Haydel, Bella Haydel, Cole Duhe, twins, Hope and Faith Duhe, Anna Wiggins and Haylee Ornquist. Preceded in death by his sisters, Hilda Dominguez and her husband, Evalisto, Virginia Triche and her husband, Al, who were all of New Orleans, Lilia Ramos and Dr. Jesus Ramos, who were of Reynosa, Mexico. Pallbearers will be Ty Richey, Bryan Haydel Jr., Joseph Gutierrez, Chase Gutierrez, Collin Gutierrez, Bradley Sanchez and Gussie Gutierrez. The family would like to give thanks to the staff of The Carpenter House of St. Joseph Hospice for the kind and gentle comfort they gave to him. In addition, the family sends a special "thank you" to Trygve "Trig" Olson for his compassion and honesty which prepared us for the passing of the precious "patriarch" of our large family. Arrangements by Ourso Funeral Home, Gonzales, www.oursofh.com.