Colonel Eduardo Gutierrez

He was born 21 September 1960, to Gumecindo Gutierrez, Jr. and Maria Guerrero Gutierrez. The second of three children, he grew up with his older brother, Ruben, and younger sister, Graciela. Born and raised in Brownsville, Texas, Ed brought hometown values and a no-nonsense, straight-shooting “tell it like it is” mentality that defined his career as an American Soldier, an amazing Dad, Grandpa, Brother to all who knew him well, Tio, life partner and husband to his high school sweetheart, Alma.

Ed discovered his love for discipline, duty, honor, and commitment in high school. A four-year member of the Homer Hanna High School US Army Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC), he was selected by the cadre to be the battalion commander and drill team commander of the Brown Rifles his senior year.

Ed and Alma met in typing class their freshmen year. Their first date was Star Wars - A New Hope. That pretty much sums up the rest of their lives together. Ed graduated in 1979, the end of the disco era. He would never admit to ‘diggin’ the disco scene or owning a leisure suit, but he did. He was also a product of the Urban Cowboy era. He owned more than his fair share of cowboy hats and boots. Those were later exchanged for his beloved ‘Cav Hat’ and ‘Boots and Spurs’ as part of his military uniform.

Ed was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army on a 2-year ROTC scholarship at Corpus Christi State University, now known as Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi, in July 1983 as the Distinguished Military Graduate. He would put up a good fight if you called him an Aggie. He would say his money went to the University of Texas: ‘Go Longhorns!’ He always wanted to be an Infantryman, a Ranger, Airborne, Air Assault, HOOAH! However, when the opportunity to fly helicopters presented itself, he quickly changed his ambitions. As a young man, he was no stranger to local Air Shows, climbing in cockpits and dreaming that someone like him, coming from the valley, could someday be a chopper pilot. He trained on the TH-55 Osage and UH-1H Huey at Fort Rucker, Alabama, earning his Aviator Wings in 1984. He transitioned to the AH-1 Cobra shortly thereafter.

His first duty assignment was at Fort Hood, Texas, with the 7th Squadron, 17th Air Cavalry. He wanted to be assigned to a Cavalry unit not only because of their lineage, but more so because of – THE CAVALRY HAT! B Troop 3d Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment was his first command and remained always close and dear to his heart. There is a bond between 6 Cav troops and their families that can only be explained by their dedication to THE MISSION and to one another! FIRST APACHES is their bragging right!

With excellent instructor pilots, unit leadership, teamwork, a good tailwind, Ed excelled as an AH-1 pilot. As a result, in 1985, he was selected to train on the new AH-64 attack helicopter and assigned as the Army's first AH-64 platoon leader, where he was given the call sign “Thumper”. Neither enemy skies nor Interstate Highways were safe from his signature “coming in hot” runway approach. His passion for flying transferred to the road. Yet, he always got off with a warning from a State Trooper. His charms had no boundary.

Ed graduated from Command & General Staff College in 1997. His ability to teach, coach, and mentor earned him the right to remain and teach at the college. His follow-on assignment sent him to the United Arab Emirates to provide technical assistance and training to foreign Apache pilots. From Abu Dhabi, he commanded 2-291d Aviation Battalion at Fort Riley, Kansas. But first, he had to learn how to fly the UH-60 Blackhawk. His command was responsible for training Army Aviation Reserve and National Guard units for upcoming combat deployments. His unit earned a Presidential Unit Citation for the rapid training and deployment of CH-47 Chinooks to earthquake battered Pakistan in 2005.

Ed completed two combat tours in Iraq, where, as a senior aviation officer, he helped coordinate airspace and guide aviation support across the region of operations. His final assignment was with the Operational Test Command at West Fort Hood as the Aviation Test Director. He retired from the Army in July 2013 and settled in Killeen, Texas.

Ed’s awards include: Iraq Campaign Medal with 4 Campaign stars, Legion of Merit (3), Bronze Star (2), Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal (2), Meritorious Service Medal (3), Army Commendation Medal (6), Army Achievement Medal (5), Joint Meritorious Unit Award (2), Army Superior Unit Award, Nationals Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korea Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (4), Senior Aviator Badge. He earned two master’s degrees: Business Administration Human Resources from Websters University and US Army War College in Strategic Studies.

He remained connected to the Army community, both personally and professionally. He took great pride in staying proficient in his craft and in passing that knowledge on by teaching and training soldiers as a civilian contractor at Fort Hood, Texas, with the Mission Command Training Team. His one-liner quips, delivered with humor and love, were part of his gift as a commander and teacher.

He also enjoyed classic rock, war documentaries, iconic comedies and was glued to the TV during SHARK WEEK every year. And when it came to grilling, he was a charcoal master — no ribs, sausage, chicken wing, or ribeye were ever safe around him. Ed also had a passion for competitive skeet shooting, hunting, and woodworking.

Ed’s life of service and adventure took him and his family across the country and around the world. His assignments included: Fort Benning, Georgia; Fort Rucker, Alabama; Fort Hood, Texas; Fort Leavenworth, Kansas and Fort Riley, Kansas. He was also stationed in Seoul and Wonju, South Korea, and Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Beyond his military postings, he loved to travel and saw much of the world, including El Salvador, Saipan, Egypt, Kenya, Malaysia, and Australia. Wherever he went, he built lasting friendships, embraced new experiences, and created treasured memories with everyone he met.

He found family and community across Texas. At the Rockaway RV Park in Burnet, Texas, he was fondly known as “Ambassador Ed” by his Camp Family.

Ed was preceded in death by his father Gume, mother Nena, and older brother, Ruben. He is survived by his sister Graciela “Chela” Taliancich (Dean), wife, Alma; daughter and grandson, Marisela (Mari) and Drake; daughter Christina and son-in-law, Ruben Bermea, Jr.; His sister-in-law Sylvia Gutierrez, aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews, nieces, grand nieces and nephews, Army families, and great friends he accepted as family.

A viewing will be held from 3-6 pm on Thursday, August 27, 2026, at Funeraria del Angel Buena Vista, 125 McDavitt Blvd., Brownsville, Texas. The vigil and rosary begin at 6 pm, followed by the eulogy. Mass will be held at St. Luke Catholic Church, 2800 Rockwell Dr., Brownsville, Texas, at 9 a.m. on August 28, followed by burial with full Military Honors at Rose Lawn Memorial Gardens, 4464 Old Port Isabel Road, Brownsville, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to the COL Ed Gutierrez Homer Hanna High School Class of 1979 JROTC Memorial Scholarship Fund.

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DUTY, HONOR FAMILY — FOR ETERNITY. A LIFE OF SERVICE, A LEGACY OF LOVE.