Lucio Gutierrez Jr.

Lucio P. Gutierrez Jr., 87, of Las Cruces, lived a long and happy life and has now gone home to be with our Lord. Lucio was born April 16, 1926, in El Paso, Texas, to Lucio Sr. and Rosa Pallion Gutierrez; the first boy born in a family of 12. Lucio's family were hardworking farmers who settled in Arrey. He spent 42 years of his life working for G.P. and Kenneth Black at Price/Black Farms in Arrey and for 28 years of his service he hauled milk to Albuquerque and El Paso. He met his wife, Sadie, at a dance, one of many, and they were happily married 59 years until her death in December 2011. Together they raised one son, Carl Wayne. Lucio was so proud of him, and to him there was no one like Wayncie. Carl went on to marry Eileen and Lucio was blessed with three beautiful grandchildren, whom he adored. He retired in 1988 and spent his remaining years farming his pecan trees and loving his family. His life was complete and couldn't get any better because he had everything he ever wanted. Lucio is survived by his only son, Carl Wayne, daughter-in-law Eileen, grandchildren Melissa (Nic), Paul and Joshua, along with his sisters, Helen Sedillo, Jenny Baca, Lydia Minnick; sisters-in-law, Gloria Gutierrez and Mary Gutierrez, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Sadie, on Dec. 16, 2011, his parents, sisters, Margaret Ivy, Inez Salas, Beatrice Nuanes, Rufina Frias and Leonor Bierner, and his brothers, Gilbert, Anselmo, Cruz, Rosalio (Chalio) Gutierrez and Rudy Salas. Calling hours for Mr. Gutierrez will begin at 5 p.m. Sunday, March 30, 2014, in the prayer chapel of Baca's Funeral Chapels, 300 E. Boutz Road, where the prayer vigil is scheduled for 6 p.m. The funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday, March 31, 2014, at San Jose Catholic Church, 54109 School Loop East, in Arrey with the Rev. Kevin McDonald officiating. At his request, cremation will follow and inurnment of cremains will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Lucio's memory to La Posada - Mesilla Valley Hospice, 299 E. Montana Ave., Las Cruces, NM 88005 (575) 523-4700. Serving as pallbearers will be Melissa N., Paul K., and Joshua T. Gutierrez, Gilbert Gutierrez Jr, Ricky Sedillo and Robert (Bobby) Lopez. Service arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Baca's Funeral Chapels of Las Cruces and Sunset Crematory. 527-2222 For online condolences logon to www.bacasfuneralchapelslascruces.com