Roberto “Big Bob” Gutierrez was welcomed into the gates of Heaven on Monday, August 7, 2023 in a Laredo Hospital at the age of 60. He was born on November 6, 1962 in Laredo, Texas to Francisco Gutierrez Jr. and Maria Ilda Ramos Gutierrez.
He is preceded in death by his parents and brother, Francisco Gutierrez III.
Big Bob leaves behind many fond memories that will forever be treasured by his brothers, Rodolfo (Cynthia) Gutierrez of Hebbronville and Cesar Carlos Gutierrez of San Marcos; sister-in-law Phyllis Gutierrez of Bakersfield, California; (little sister) Alma Ramos of Hebbronville; nieces and nephews, Lisa Cristina Gutierrez, Teresa Lynne G. (Eric) Madewell, Ricardo Daniel Gutierrez, Angelina Elisa Gutierrez, Cristina Alyssa (Matt) Saunders, Michelle Ilyse Gutierrez, Matias Daniel Gutierrez and Alejandro Esteban (Meredith) Gutierrez; 5 great nieces and nephews and 1 great great niece.
Pallbearers will be Teresa Madewell, Ricardo Gutierrez, Matias Gutierrez, Alejandro Gutierrez, Tess Madewell, John Edward San Miguel, Joel Montalvo, and Thomas Henry.
Honorary Pallbearers include Angelina Gutierrez, Cristina Saunders, Matt Saunders, Michelle Gutierrez, Ethan Madewell, John Richard Vaello, Joseph Vaello, Isidro and Marta Gutierrez, Tony Salinas, Roldan Montalvo, Luis Felipe Salinas, Francisco (Paco) Hinojosa, Alma Ramos, Sigifredo Huerta, John Paul Benavides, Ricky Saldaña, Arnoldo Almaraz, and many other friends and relatives too numerous to mention.
The Holy Rosary will be prayed at 7:00 P.M. on Monday, August 14, 2023 at Funeraria Del Angel Howard-Williams, Hebbronville, Texas with visitation beginning at 5:00 P.M. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, August 15, 2023 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church at 10:00 A.M. Burial will follow at the New Hebbronville Cemetery. A celebration of Bobby’s life will follow at the Jim Hogg County Fair Pavilion, 300 W. Martinez Drive, Hebbronville, Texas.
Frank’s Cafe (Paco’s) opened in 1938. Our parents raised four sons who all worked there, and Bobby was the youngest. As our parents aged, Bobby decided that he would take care of them and help them run the restaurant. He never married or had children because he felt this was his calling. Bobby never left and he put his own stamp on the family business. Over time, the name “Big Bob” became as iconic as “Paco.”
Bobby came from a large family that loved him unconditionally. He never judged others, and we never judged him. But his family was larger than just his blood relatives. We had to share him with the entire Hebbronville community, because he cared for so many other people. He called everyone hermano, hermana, mijo, or mijita, and he treated everyone like family. He accepted people as they were and cared for them.
Deep down Bobby loved everybody. He wanted the best for everybody. He took pure joy out of seeing everyone succeed. He took great pleasure in providing a job and an opportunity for so many. He truly was never happier or prouder than when he got to brag on someone who got his start working at Paco’s that made a success out of themselves.
