Lawrence Richard Gutierrez

Lawrence (Larry) Richard Gutierrez, 95, of Kansas City, MO, passed away peacefully on October 17, 2023, with his loving family by his side. Larry was born August 10, 1928 to Porfirio Gutierrez and Rosario (Ramirez) Gutierrez in Woden, Iowa. He was born to humble beginnings and as a child working in farm fields with his family, learned the value of hard work. The family moved to Topeka, Kansas when Larry was still a child, where his father worked for the railroad. Life was tough, but so was Larry, who overcame many obstacles throughout his life. From an early age, Larry was driven to succeed and attain the life he envisioned for himself. He joined the Air Force and was stationed in Germany where he worked in Intelligence, drafting air strikes in Korea and key facilities in Europe. After his military service, he married Connie Padilla Gutierrez and started a family in the Kansas City area. He wanted to be an engineer and attended the University of Kansas, but needed to support his family, so he went to work for Vendo. He wrote and drew the instruction manuals on how to assemble and operate their vending machines. Larry always wanted to venture out and do things his way to create the opportunity that he was not getting in the corporate world. He started Professional Services Recruiting & Placement Service and dabbled in the printing business. He was one of the original founders of Lil Guy Tortilla later selling his portion of the company. By 1973, Larry hit it big, landing the largest government contract awarded to a minority contractor. He made the front page of the newspaper and a top story on the television news. Larry did it! He was even invited to the President’s Inauguration. He continued to be active in the community and was an original founding member of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in Kansas City. He continued his career as leader of Pro-Service until his retirement. Larry and Connie enjoyed retirement in Scottsdale and Surprise, AZ for many years, where they enjoyed entertaining family and friends. They returned to Kansas City for the last years of life.

Lawrence was preceded in death by his wife, Connie (Padilla) Gutierrez, his parents, Porfirio, and Rosario (Ramirez) Gutierrez, brothers and sisters, Felisha Dominguez, Lupe Gonzalez, John Gutierrez, Cruse Sauls, Josephine Cervantes, Lucille Miranda, MaryAnne Gailey, and Anthony Gutierrez, and his son-in-law Michael Hall. He is survived by his sister, Jennie Pimental, and his brother Phillip Gutierrez and his wife Rebecca. Lawrence is also survived by his children Debbie Hall, Lawrence Gutierrez, Jr., Marcel Gutierrez and his wife Denise, Nina Goulet and her husband John; grandchildren Barbara Barr, Daniel Howell and his wife Tammy, Stevan Gutierrez and his wife Dani, Christian Beck and his wife Deborah, Carly (Gutierrez) Beckett and her husband Cooper, Kirsten (Beck) Haley and her husband Ryan; great-grandchildren Mason Howell, Marcie Gutierrez, Elisha Beck, and Wesley Beckett.

Lawrence was always a good provider for his family and a proud father and grandfather. He loved his family and especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren. He was always helping family and friends in need and cared about his community. He took loving care of Mom and missed her deeply when she passed 10 months ago. Rest in peace, eternity is yours.

Services will be November 16, 2023, at Saint Thomas More Parish, 11822 Holmes Road, Kansas City, MO 64131. Visitation will be from 9:30-10:15am. Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10:30am. A Luncheon Reception will be held immediately following Mass downstairs at Saint Thomas More. Burial Service at 2:30pm at Leavenworth National Cemetery, 150 Muncie Road, Leavenworth, KS 66048.