ZAPATA, TEXAS ---Jose "Pepe" F. Gutierrez 81, was born on May 17, 1941 in Uribeno, Texas and passed away on Sunday, March 12, 2023 at Laredo Medical Center.

He is now reunited with his parents †Adelaida Cuellar and †Eliseo E. Gutierrez, brothers †Alfredo (Thelma) and †Eliseo E. (Belen) Gutierrez Jr., baby sister †Maria Del Refugio Gutierrez, grandson †Christopher De Leon and many more.

He is survived by his loving wife Ella Mae "Chicken" Watkins Gutierrez.  Four children:  Maria Yvette (Juan) De Leon, Jose F. "Joey" (Melissa) Gutierrez Jr., Michelle (Juan) Gutierrez Martinez, and Juan Manuel "Johnnyboy" (Anna) Gutierrez.  Nine grandchildren: Robert (Ashley) Dietert, Alberico (Sarah) Salinas, Kristina (Christian) Monsivais, Alyssa (Xavier) Paredes, Brandon Gonzalez, Andrea Gutierrez, Amanda Gutierrez, Preston Gonzalez, and Joey Gutierrez III. Brother Nicolas (Elsa) Gutierrez and sisters Antonia G. (Teofilo, Jr) Vela, Juanita G. (Oswaldo) Ramirez, Margarita G. (†Andy) Gerush, and Olga G. Benavides.  He also had eight great grandchildren.  Pepe loved his family dearly.

Pepe was a loving father, brother, uncle, grandfather, and great grandfather.  Pepe took pride in his loyalty to his work at H.B. Zachary for 55 years and the relationships and family he gained through his working experiences. Pepe will leave a legacy of hard work, loyalty to family, and the love of a great family vacation.

Visitation and condolences will be on Friday, March 17, 2023 at 12:00 p.m. at Rose Garden Funeral Home with a mass at our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church at 2:00 pm in Zapata, Texas.

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