Joel A Gutierrez

Joel A. Gutierrez, 73, went to be with his Lord and Savior, Thursday morning, June 27th at Summitview Health Center. He was born August 15th, 1950 in Carlsbad, New Mexico to Rev. Manuel L. and Betty Lou Gutierrez. As children of a minister, Joel and his younger sister Anna, and two younger brothers Noé and Benjamin, moved around frequently throughout New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado and California.

The family moved to Washington State in 1968 where Joel graduated from Wapato High School in 1969. He then attended Yakima Valley College where he studied Criminal Justice and became a police officer with the Yakima Police Department where he served for several years. He then moved to the Yakima Airport Security Department as an officer and received multiple commendations for his duties. While working as an officer, Joel also managed several of the family's La Hacienda restaurants, and opened his own restaurants; Taco Village and The Old Santa Fe. Having a great way with people, Joel then decided to sell cars at Bob Hall Sunfair Chevrolet in 1982. Joel was considered a pioneer in the car business of the Yakima Valley as one of the top Hispanic salesman, achieving Salesman of the Month and Year many times over throughout his career. Joel worked for over 28 years at Sunfair Chevrolet before retiring in 2010.

Joel was a people person that had a passion for helping the community throughout his life. On the weekends he ran youth dance events at the Southeast Community Center, he served on the board of directors of the Yakima OIC for over 10 years, and often assisted with interpreting at a local attorney's office.

He loved movies, listening to music, (especially Elvis), and if he wasn't working he was with family. He loved his family very much and instilled a work hard attitude in his children. He was proud of each of them and would find any opportunity to share how proud he was of what they were doing with anyone he talked to. His sense of humor was contagious and he would do what he could for a good laugh. Joel will be missed by all who knew him.

Joel is survived by his children, Joel Jr. (Haydee) Gutierrez, Darlene (Jason) Harris, Ashley Gutierrez, Michele (Gary) Little, Ryan (Anjie) Kivett; eight grandchildren, Leilani, Maya, Elliot, Anthony, Jayla, Zoe, Oliver, & Jackson; his mother, Betty Lou Gutierrez, his sister Anna (Randy) Green, and brother Noé (Margaret Luera) Gutierrez, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He is also survived by the mother of his children, Michele and Ryan, Karen Kivett; the mother of his children, Joel Jr. and Darlene, Rolande Delmotte; and the mother of his child, Ashley, Rocio Larios.

He is preceded in death by his father, Rev. Manuel Gutierrez and his brother, Benjamin Gutierrez.

A viewing for Joel will be held Wednesday, July 10, 2024 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Langevin El Paraiso Funeral Home, 1010 West Yakima Ave, Yakima, WA 98902. A funeral service will occur Thursday, July 11, 2024 from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM also at Langevin El Paraiso Funeral Home. A burial will then occur Thursday, July 11, 2024 at 1:00 PM at Terrace Heights Memorial Park at 3001 Terrace Heights Dr, Yakima, WA 98901.