Fernando was born on April 3, 1940, in Old Zapata, Texas.  He passed peacefully surrounded by his loving family on May 17, 2022.  Fernando graduated from Martin High School in Laredo, Texas, in 1958.  He served in the Army and was first stationed in Fort Carson in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and completed his service in Fort Polk in Louisiana.

He married his loving wife, Elma Martinez, on March 4, 1962.  They recently celebrated their 60 ^th anniversary.  He was the owner of Eloy Insurance Agency for over 50-years.  He was an active member of the Optimist and LULAC organizations and served as President of the Lions Club.  He also served several terms as school board member of the Zapata Independent School District. He was a Boys Club Master for several years taking the local troops to Camp Perry in Rio Hondo, Texas, on several occasions. He was a member of the Zapata County Appraisal District and was selected as the lead recruiter for selective draft services for Zapata County.

Fernando is survived by his beloved wife Elma and his children-Leticia (Roland) Hinojosa, Rosa Maria (Abraham+) Gutierrez, Fernando (Peggy) Gutierrez, Jr., Eloy (Cynthia) Gutierrez, and Carlos (Eduardo Hernandez) Gutierrez.  He is also survived by nine (9) grandchildren-David Gerardo Salinas, Jr., Rolando Martin Hinojosa, Abraham Angel Gutierrez, Jr., Marcos Daniel Gutierrez, Alonzo Rene Gutierrez, Steven Fernando Gutierrez, Samuel Fernando Gutierrez, Cynthia Gabriela Gutierrez, and Andrea Anneliese Gutierrez, and twogreat granddaughters, Bella Rose Salinas and Ava Janelle Salinas.   Fernando is also survived by his four sisters-Ana Maria(Luis)Torres, Mirta Lopez, Diana (Sergio) Flores, and Melba (Lionel+) Flores and by numerous nieces and nephews.  He is preceded in death by his parents Eloy and Felicidad Gutierrez.

Visitation hours will be held on Friday May 20, 2022  from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. with a rosary at 10 a.m. at Rose Garden Funeral Home.

A mass will follow at 11:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church.

Burial service will follow at Zapata County Cemetery, including full Military Honors by the Zapata County Color Guard.

Funeral arrangements are  under the direction of Rose Garden Funeral Home Daniel A. Gonzalez, Funeral Director, 2102 N. US HWY 83 Zapata, Texas.