Richard Gutkowski Sr.

1942 - 2007

Richard Edward "Rick" or "Ski" Gutkowski Sr., 64, left his little piece of heaven to join his wife, Tammy, and companion, Bandit, in God's great heaven Thursday, July 5, 2007, at his residence in Gordon.
Graveside service: 11 a.m. Wednesday in New Gordon Cemetery in Gordon.
Pallbearers will be David Gutkowski, Ron Gutkowski, Eric Nottingham, Scott Carpenter, Jack Egbers, Ed Ferguson, Jerry Patridge and Jerry Troegle. Honorary pallbearers will be Gary Melber, Robert Hall, Don McFaddin and Jim Roberts.
Rick was born Oct. 6, 1942, in Fort Worth to the late Frank and Nona Gutkowski. Rick was the greatest dad a son could have; he was caring, compassionate, understanding and very tolerant. Who could ask for more? As for a friend, you could not find one better. He was always there for you, no matter what, without question. He was a great man and will be sorely missed by many.
Rick joined the Navy on Jan. 20, 1960, and was honorably discharged July 8, 1960, due to an injury.
Shortly after, he began his career with Allied Aviation at Love Field then to Dallas-Fort Worth in 1974 upon its opening. He was employed as an aircraft fueler and retired as tank farm control supervisor in 2004. Rick married the love of his life, Tammy Pace, on April 27, 1981, and she left his side Sept. 27, 2001.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Tammy; father Frank; mother, Nona; brother, Nicky; and mother-in-law, Ruby Pace.
Suvivors: Sons, Richard E. Gutkowski Jr. and Steven T. Gutkowski; daughter, Mindee Simpson, all of Arlington; grandchildren, Richard III, Colten, Savannah, Ashley, Stephanie and Tiffany; brothers, David Gutkowski and wife, Elaine, of Irving and Ron Gutkowski and wife, Lee Ann, of Arlington; sisters, Betty Cooper and Patricia Russ of Fort Worth; stepmother, Sybil Neely and husband, John, of Colleyville; father-in-law, Norman Pace of Fort Worth; brother-in-law, James Pace of Fort Worth; several uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces and nephews; and many, many friends.