Raymond Gutierrez

Raymond Gutierrez – Attended by his sister, Juanita and brother-in-law, Tony, Raymond Gutierrez after a lengthy illness went home peacefully to be with our Lord.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Marcelino & Eliza Gutierrez; sisters, Pita Cajete & Patricia Chino; and brother, Mike Gutierrez.  Raymond was a life long resident of Santa Clara Pueblo, born with severely limited use of his left arm and hand that others label a handicap, but not Raymond, he considered it a challenge.  As a youth, he underwent numerous surgeries as a result of accidents, requiring insertion of steel pins in his legs to regain their beneficial use.  He learned how to drive his dad’s pick-up four on the floor manual transmission vehicle and graduated from high school.  A week later he was employed as a mail carrier at the P.E.R.A building in Santa Fe. Upon receiving a draft notice to be inducted into the U.S. Army during World War II, he immediately appeared before the draft board, announcing, “Here I am, I’m ready”.  The recruiter was astounded at the courage displayed by Raymond and sat him down on a chair and told him he held a very responsible position, guarding Uncle Sam’s mail and he will better serve his country as a mail carrier.  So Raymond went back to his job and after thirty years of continuous and meritorious service, he retired.  Very humbly, Raymond considers each of his accomplishments as just another challenge overcome as a fulfillment of his 81 years of life.  Raymond is survived by his sisters, Juanita Jojola and husband Tony, and Helen Padilla, all of Santa Clara.  He is also survived by numerous other relatives and friends.  His body was interred at the Santa Clara Catholic Church.  The following served as pallbearers, Lawrence and Charles Sisneros, Matthew Jojola, Ricky and Na-na Montoya and Jesse Gutierrez. Raymond’s funeral arrangements were entrusted to DeVargas Funeral Home of the Espanola Valley.