Ignacio Gutiérrez Sr.

Born and raised in Zapata, Texas with his parents and younger sister Alma, Ignacio spent his days hunting and fishing and playing with his sister and cousins, and as an adult often told stories about his tía Zulema’s tortillas. After graduating from Southwest Texas State University with a degree in Spanish and Speech, Ignacio promptly accepted a teaching position in Harlingen, Texas where he met Rosie, whom he would wed in 1974.

After obtaining his Masters in Spanish, he moved his wife and young family to Phoenix in 1981. A dedicated educator, Ignacio loved his time in elementary, middle school, and high school classrooms in Texas and Arizona. Prone to silliness, he tricked his young daughters into grading papers for him by pretending that it was the greatest joy of his life; those two daughters are now educators themselves.

An avid gardener, Ignacio coaxed a variety of fruits and vegetables out of the desert clay in his backyard; his children loved picking ripened strawberries and cherry tomatoes right off the vine to eat. After 35 years of teaching, Ignacio retired and dedicated his time to his wife, children, and seven grandchildren, the youngest of whom is not yet a year old. Above all, Ignacio’s Catholic faith sustained him, and together with Rosie, he was a parishioner at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church for thirty years.

Ignacio is preceded in death by his parents, José Bruno and Virginia Álvarez Gutiérrez; brothers- and sisters in-law Hilda Sermino, Lázaro Sermino, Ester Sermino, Joe Sermino, Becky Sermino, Teresa Mayorga, Victor Sermino, Juan Pérez, Patricio Vela, Victoria Vela, and Petra Cortez; nephew Joey Sermino; and numerous aunts and uncles, including his beloved tía Zulema Villarreal and his tío Ignacio Álvarez, a soldier who died in World War II and after whom he was named, and who himself was named for St. Ignatius of Loyola.

Ignacio is survived by his wife of 51 and a half years, María del Rosario “Rosie” Gutiérrez of Phoenix, AZ, his daughters Yvonne (Jeff) Corey of Gilbert, AZ and Dr. Verónica Anne Gutiérrez (Juan) Barrera of Palos Verdes Estates, CA, his son Ignacio (Amie) Gutiérrez Jr. of San Diego, CA; grandchildren Isabela, Rosario, Christiana, Antonio, Michael, Vicente, and James; his sister Alma († Victor) Sermino of Zapata, TX, and by numerous nephews, nieces, and other family members and friends.

An opportunity for prayer at Ignacio’s casket will take place at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church (750 E Baseline Rd, Phoenix) on Monday, January 19, 2026 at 8:45am with a Requiem Mass at 9:30am followed by graveside services and a small reception at Resthaven/Carr-Tenney Mortuary and Memorial Gardens (4310 E Southern Ave, Phoenix).