Jose Luis Gutierrez

José Luis, known as Louie, or Luis to family and friends, was born on June 23rd, 1943 in the small farming town of Santa Ana, Sonora, Mexico. Born to Esther Rivera and Arturo Gutierrez, Luis was surrogated to his grandparents, Ramona and Juan Rivera, and came to the United States at the age of 13 years old to join them and his aunts and uncles, and to be raised with them as his parents and siblings.

Upon arriving in the U.S., Luis attended Safford Junior High school, and he lived and was raised on Convent Street in the historic Barrio Viejo in Tucson, Arizona, where he later married, and had four children. In 1964, Luis joined the U.S. Army, where he served for 39 years, and retired in 2003 with honors in the E7 rank of Sergeant First Class. In addition to his active and later, his reservist Army career, Luis also worked for the City of Tucson for 30 years, retiring in 1998 in the position of Supervisor for the Street Maintenance division at the Thomas Price center.

Luis remarried, and lived happily with his wife, Juanita, and her two daughters, Shirley and Mary Ann, and had a long, contented marriage. They enjoyed traveling together, taking long road trips, gaming at nearby casinos, but they most especially enjoyed their family time, spent with their many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Luis was preceded in death by his loving wife, Juanita and her daughter, Shirley Elbert (Michael Elbert), as well as by his parents, Ramona and Juan Rivera. He is survived by his children, Concepcion Gutierrez, José Luis Gutierrez, Jr. (also known as Louie), Gabriel Gutierrez (Stephanie Gutierrez), Christina Moody (John Moody), and Mary Ann Trejo-Garcia (Antonio Garcia). He is also survived by his siblings, his aunt and uncle, and his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

A visitation for Jose will be held Monday, October 30, 2023 from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Funeraria del Angel South Lawn, 5401 South Park Ave, Tucson, AZ 85706. A rosary service will occur Monday, October 30, 2023 from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM, 5401 South Park Ave, Tucson, AZ 85706. A funeral service will occur Tuesday, October 31, 2023 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at St Monica Roman Catholic Parish, 212 W Medina Rd, Tucson, AZ 85756. A graveside service will occur Tuesday, October 31, 2023 from 11:30 AM to 12:00 PM at South Lawn Cemetery, 5401 South Park Ave, Tucson, AZ 85706.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.funerariadelangelSL.com for the Gutierrez family.