John Ray - Age 82 - Velarde Gutierrez

JOHN RAY GUTIERREZ, 82, passed away on Thursday, November 11, 2010 in Santa Fe. He was preceded in death by his wife, Josie “Lala” Candelaria Gutierrez; parents, Fidel Gutierrez, Sr. and Maria de la Luz de Vargas; sisters, Anita, Emma, Agueda, and Mary Lena and beloved brother Ernesto. A life-long resident of Velarde, he was born in 1929 and was educated at Velarde Mission School, McCurdy High, York College in Nebraska, and Highlands University. He was a dedicated teacher who touched the lives of hundreds of students in Chama, Dixon, John F. Kennedy Jr. High, and Española Valley High where he ended his 40-year career as a guidance counselor in 1992. After retirement he had a thriving business where he sold New Mexico food products in Colorado and neighboring states. Mr. Gutierrez is survived by sons, Michael Gutierrez of Velarde, Patrick Gutierrez and partner Don Handrick of Santa Fe and Dr. John Ray Gutierrez of Oxford, Mississippi; sisters, Eliza Farrar of Los Luceros, Zoraida Ortega and husband Eulogio of Velarde, brother and best friend, Sam and wife Isabel of La Villita, Fidel and wife Angelina of Velarde and Mark of Denver, CO.; brothers-in-law, Joe Max Candelaria of Bloomfield, Rudy Candelaria of Durango, CO, Donald Candelaria and wife Lydia of South Gate, CA, Steve Candelaria and wife Diana of Kirtland, and sister-in-law, Mary Jane Griego and husband Tranquilino of Aztec; grandchildren, Mia Gutierrez-Tatum and husband Chris, Stevan and companion Katie, and Jimmy. The family wishes to acknowledge the special care he received by everyone at the Rosemont and at St. Vincent’s Hospital. Cremation has taken place. No services have been planned at this time. The Gutierrez family has entrusted their loved one to DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the Española Valley. 505-747-7477

---