John Michael Gutierrez

John Michael Gutierrez of San Antonio, Texas, flew on eagle’s wings to meet his Heavenly Father on Monday, Jan. 11, 2021, after his valiant battle with kidney cancer. Michael was born on March 23, 1956, in San Antonio to Estella and Francisco Uriegas Gutierrez Sr., one of seven children.

He enlisted in the U.S. Army as a junior in high school in 1973, during the Vietnam era, but was determined to complete his education, graduating from Edgewood High School in 1974. Michael served in the First Cavalry Division at Fort Hood as a medical clerk, working in clinics to start, quickly moving up to hospitals. Michael married the love of his life, Helena “Helen” Belen Cassias on May 22, 1976, in San Martin de Porres Catholic Church in San Antonio. From this union, three children were born, Angelica, Cristina, and Daniel. The family moved to Fort Sill, Okla., where they lived for nearly eight years, before returning to San Antonio to be near family and friends. After honorably serving his country, he began work for the U.S. Postal Service in 1985.

He enjoyed softball and was a permanent fixture on the field, coaching adult coed leagues, consisting of his children, other family members, friends, and Helen, supporting them all as “team mom” from the bleachers. He also coached CYO and a city league in San Antonio for 10 years.

Michael was a member of the Knights of Columbus at St. Henry’s Catholic Church and a longtime member of the Band Boosters at his children’s alma mater, Brackenridge High School, from 1996 to 2003. As booster alum, everyone could count on him to sell tickets each year for seats to the annual San Antonio Battle of Flowers and Fiesta Flambeau parades.

In 2003, he received a life-altering diagnosis of kidney cancer. Undeterred, Michael fought back and beat the disease and was cancer-free for 13 years before being re-diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma in 2016. He retired from civil service in November of 2017, after 43 faithful years.

He was a beloved son, husband, father, brother, “Popo,” uncle, and friend who never knew a stranger. Always putting family first, he would lead the charge at annual Easter gatherings, stuffing plastic eggs with coins and bills and leaving mounds of confetti carnage behind; play the role of Santa Claus at Christmas; and could be found at every family affair, from birthdays to baptisms and weddings and holidays to sports events, or just hanging out. He also enjoyed reading a good book, watching movies, and taking trips with his family, the most recent including Las Vegas, South Padre Island, a “staycation,” and Branson, Mo.

Michael’s hearty laugh, contagious smile, loving embrace, and simply his presence will be greatly missed, said his family. Until we meet again, “See you later, alligator.”

He was preceded in death by his father, Francisco Uriegas Gutierrez Sr.; his niece, Patricia Montalvo; his in-laws, Joe R. and Josephina Cassias; and his brother-in-law, Jimmy Chavira.

Michael is survived by his beloved wife of 44 years, Helena Gutierrez; his loving children, Angelica Gutierrez-Lozano (Mike), Cristina Gutierrez, and Daniel Gutierrez and partner Andrew; his mother, Estella Pierce; his siblings, Evangelina Gutierrez (Henry), Frank Gutierrez, Lisa Hinojosa and Tim Barclay, Tom Gutierrez (Amy), Ronnie Gutierrez (Shawn), and Elsa Rodriguez (Jimmy); his adoring grandchildren, Isabel, Leonardo, Nicolas, and Elena Lozano and Noah Michael Gutierrez; his nieces and nephews, Joe Cassias, John Cassias, Sarah Casugay, David Bolivar, Nicole Fuentes, Paula Bowers, Luca and Tessa Gutierrez, Ariean Ornelas, and Gabriella, Isabella, and Angelina Rodriguez; five brothers-in-law; two sisters-in law; numerous uncles, aunts, cousins, great-nieces, nephews; and many cherished friends.

Visitation will be held Friday, Jan. 29, from 1-7 p.m. with a rosary recited at 7 p.m. in the Porter Loring Mortuary (McCullough location) in San Antonio.

A funeral Mass will be limited to immediate family only (due to COVID-19 re-strictions) on Saturday at 9:30 a.m. in St. Michael Catholic Church in San Antonio.

Serving as pallbearers will be Tom Gutierrez, Daniel Gutierrez, Mike Lozano, Joe Cassias, John Cassias, David Bolivar, Alfred Cassias, and Andrew Harris.

The family would like to thank the staff at the Baptist Hospital-Downtown and St. Luke’s Baptist Hospital in San Antonio for their expert and compassionate care of Michael during his hospital stay.