Ruben Gutierrez Sr.

Ruben Gutierrez Sr., 70, loving husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle and friend, was called home on Wednesday, February 5, 2013 following a brief illness in Arlington, Texas.Ruben was born on June 1, 1942, the 2nd of 11 children born to the late Santiago Gutierrez and Anita Quintanilla Gutierrez. He was raised and attended school in McAllen, Texas. In 1967, he would marry Holia Lucio, the lady with whom he would spend the next forty-five years of life. Shortly after getting married, he would join the US Army, serving a total of 7 years, including a tour in Vietnam. He would become acknowledged for his service with awards and medals, including the National Defense Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Expert Badge for Pistol and TK Gun, Vietnam Campaign Medal and a Purple Heart. After his discharge he would move back to San Juan, Texas, where the family would reside until 1968.He would begin work briefly for LTV in Grand Prairie before getting hired to work for the US Postal Service. His preference was to work for the defense industry, so he would rejoin LTV where he would work until the time of his retirement in 2009. He was always proud to be a part of the pioneering group in the building program of the Space Shuttle, and his work as a chemical processor. Ruben will always be remembered as a faithful and loyal family man. He was always proud of his service to his country, always remembering his fellow servicemen that never returned home.He is survived by his wife of forty-five years, Holia Gutierrez; children, Ruben Gutierrez Jr., Leonor Vicente; grandchildren, Alexander Vicente, Azalea Vicente; mother, Anita Gutierrez; siblings, Ramiro Gutierrez, Francisco Gutierrez, Alicia De Los Santos, and Elvira Lopez.In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by his siblings, Santiago Gutierrez Jr., Dionicio Gutierrez, Luis Gutierrez, Israel Gutierrez, Enrique Gutierrez and Rogelio Gutierrez.Visitation: 4 to 9 p.m. Tuesday. Funeral: 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2013 at Guerrero-Dean Funeral Home, 500 E. Main St., Grand Prairie, Texas, 75050, Pastor Onofre Herrera presideing. Burial with military honors will follow at DFW National Cemetery.Pallbearers: Ruben Gutierrez Jr., Alexander Vicente, Francisco Gutierrez, Ramiro Gutierrez, Abel Gutierrez Jr., and Charles Palacpac.

Ruben Gutierrez Sr.

June 1, 1942 - February 6, 2013