Payton Gutierrez Obituary

Name: Celebration of Life for Payton Gutierrez
Start: 2025-02-15T18:30:00.000Z
Location: Santa Maria Foursquare Church

Payton Elisha Gutierrez

March 13, 1995 – January 26, 2025

A Celebration of Life Service will be held February 15, 2025, 10:30 a.m., at Santa Maria Foursquare Church, 709 N. Curryer St, Santa Maria, for Payton Elisha Gutierrez, age 29. Payton was born in Santa Maria, CA on March 13, 1995 and passed away after a long battle with Lyme Disease and Biotoxin Illness.

Payton graduated from Orcutt Academy (High School) and Allan Hancock College (Associate of Arts Liberal Arts Transfer: Mathematics and Science). He played baseball, basketball and football from age 5 and through high school. Payton brought smiles to many faces, was loved and cherished by his family and friends of all ages and known for both his tenacious and spirited nature as well as his caring and generous heart.

Payton was an all-in guy. If he loved something, he was devoted to it: At a young age he was passionate and bold about his love of God; sports---Pittsburgh Steelers and Big Ben covered walls and trips to several cities to watch them play; Dodger Blue; surfing (everyday if he could!); research projects. And then there was music.

Payton's work included his dream first job at Sports Card Fantasy, lab technician, produce inspector and multiple fill-in work to fund his love of travel and adventure that included a few years spent in New York City and some great experiences there.

Payton is survived by father David Gutierrez, Sr. and mother Elizabeth (Liz) Bontempo-Gutierrez; brother and sister-in-law David and Jennifer Gutierrez Jr.; sister and brother-in-law Brianna and Jesse Zepeda; nephews Elisha Zepeda and Johnny Gutierrez and nieces Anastasia Gutierrez and Addison (Addie) Gutierrez; aunts and uncles Domingo (Gina) Gutierrez, Luis (Fella) Gutierrez, Delfa (Jesse) Fletes, Ramona (Lionel) Vargas, Mike (Jennifer) Bontempo, Cara (Richard) Martinez, Terri (Michael) Etteddgue, Laura Bontempo, Nicole (John) Garcia and Joe (Janette) Bontempo, as well as numerous cousins.

Payton's latest goal was to win his physical battle and devote his love of research to help find prevention of and cure for Lyme Disease. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to www.lymedisease.org.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Santa Maria Times on Feb. 8, 2025.

Memories and Condolences
for Payton Gutierrez

7 Entries

DAVID GUTIERREZ

February 12, 2025

Veronica and Ann

Sent Flowers

Dustin Graziano

February 10, 2025

Dustin Graziano

February 10, 2025

I will never forget making music and venturing NYC with Payton. Whether it was in practice, at a show, or just hanging out, there was never a dull moment.

He broadened my musical scope and challenged me to do better on multiple occasions. I could always count on his sense of humor in an adverse setting to relieve the tension.

As he was a great friend, so too was he a great drummer, very unique in his creativity. He would come to my college's dorm and practice for hours multiple days a week.

Dedicated, talented, optimistic, intelligent, funny, and caring. These are just a few of the qualities that I and his fellow band mates loved about him. Our condolences to all of Payton's family, we will miss him dearly.

Mary Lou Garza

February 9, 2025

May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief. My condolences cousin David to you and your family.

Amanda Miller (Arnold)

February 9, 2025

My fondest memories of Payton are always surrounded by music. Payton gave me some of my first CD´s of my favorite bands. Those songs sound different today knowing he is gone. Even though our friendship came and went throughout the years, the chapters of my life that he was in were impactful for me. Payton always made me laugh and was, most importantly, one of my most honest friends. He loved his family very much and I remember him thinking the world of his nieces Anastasia and Addie. The Gutierrez Family is in my thoughts and I hope you find healing amongst each other by remembering the good times with Payton. May he rest peacefully.

Ricky Koch

February 8, 2025

Payton was a best friend and a brother to me for many years. He was one of the funniest and most authentic people I have had the pleasure of knowing. Payton played a pivotal part in some of my favorite memories and experiences that I will never forget and it would truly take me hours to fully write out. From the several concerts, the surf trips where he would attempt to teach me how to pop up on a board, to eating 7/11 taquitos in Center City Philly, to going to Giants and Sharks games, and the best memories of playing music together in the middle of the night at our families´ churches. Payton, I can´t fathom that you´re gone, but I take solace in knowing that you are no longer in pain and I feel incredibly grateful to have known you and grown up with you. Rest easy.

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