Joe “Mike” Gutierrez

Joe “Mike” Gutierrez of Sacramento, California, passed away with his wife at his side at the age of 92 on October 26, 2023. He was born on Christmas Eve, 1930, in Salinas, California to Lauro and Librada Gutierrez.

Mike was 3 years old when his dad passed. He grew up with his family, brothers, Jess and Ruben, sisters, Margaret and Connie and his mother in Salinas, California. He attended and graduated from Salinas High in 1949. He joined the Air Force in 1951 serving in the Korean War and was stationed in Sacramento at Mather Air Force Base. He served his last year overseas in Japan, then honorably discharged, in 1955. After being discharged, he spent his entire civilian career as an Entomologist at Mather AFB where he retired in 1985.

He met the love of his life, Aurora Romero, while in the service. After returning from Japan, they were married at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Sacramento on August 7, 1955. Mike and Aurora purchased their home in the Tahoe Tallac area shortly after being married they began their dream of raising a family. Over the years, he devoted his life to his wife and family, raising five children and living his entire life in the home they originally purchased. He enjoyed his time with his siblings, compadres and comadres and their families. He loved taking the family camping, Oakland A’s $2 game nights and the occasional Disneyland trips. Although rarely a winner, he enjoyed the occasional Lake Tahoe and Reno gambling trips with his compadres and later his children. One highlight of the year was each Christmas Eve, his birthday. In their small house, many extended family and friends were welcomed for homemade food featuring Aurora’s tamales with his special olive included in each one. He loved helping all his children working on their homes, building barbeque structures and outdoor kitchens among many other projects. He coached Little League, then later attended all the softball and other sport games with his wife enjoying his kids, nieces, and nephews and then grandkids. His greatest joy was being with his wife and all his children and their families and telling anyone who would listen “those are all ours.”

Preceded in death by his parents, four siblings and his dear daughter Catherine Ann Smrekar (Survived by Terry), he is survived by his wife Aurora of 68 years, his children Michael (Donna), David (Ofelia), Christina (Joe), and Peter (Jennifer), his grandchildren Ryan (Rachel), Nicholas, Sarah (Steven), Jenna, Michael Jr., Andrea (Scott), David (Laura), Jessica (Zachary), Nathan, Adam and Olivia, his great grandchildren Keira, Canon, Abigail, Elena and Wyatt.

A viewing will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. followed by a rosary on Monday, November 13, 2023, at Saint Mary’s Cemetery Chapel, 6509 Fruitridge Road, Sacramento California. A Mass will be held Tuesday, November 14, 2023, at 10:00a.m. at All Hallows Catholic Church, 5501 14th Ave, Sacramento California followed by the burial at Saint Mary’s Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, you are asked to consider a donation in memory of Joe Mike Gutierrez to the Disabled American Veterans. https://help.dav.org/page/52572/donate/