Florencio Gutierrez Jr.

A Life Well Lived with Honor and Integrity Florencio (Chacho) Gutierrez, Jr., age 87, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on September 3rd, 2023, after a brief but very courageous battle with kidney failure. Florencio was born on February 20, 1936 in Laredo, Texas being the first of four children of Florencio Gutierrez Sr. and Zoila Garza Zertuche. After graduating from Martin High School in Laredo, Florencio attended Texas A&M University, where he was proud to serve in the Corps of Cadets his freshman and sophomore year. Following his time spent at college, Florencio moved to Houston and began a very rewarding and successful career as a MassMutual Financial Professional for over forty years. Florencio was also very active in civic duty in Houston, which included serving as a member of the Boy Scouts of America Sam Houston Area Council Board of Directors for over thirty-six years, earning the Silver Beaver Award for distinguished service. In his personal life, Florencio was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He married his lovely wife, Marcus Ann Langston Gutierrez, in 1969, enjoying forty-eight years of marriage. They shared a devotion to their family, which included their

daughter, Olivia Lee Pelech, son-in-law, Russell Lee Pelech, and their beloved granddaughter, Madeline Lee Pelech. Florencio adored being a grandfather, (Boppy) to Madeline. They shared many hours watching musicals, snuggling, cooking, and playing many board games together. He instilled in Madeline a love and passion of international cuisine and you could find them together frequently sharing a plate of paella, chorizo, Moroccan tagines, Greek dolmades, and braised lamb shanks to name just a few of

their favorite dishes. In addition to spending devoted time with family and friends, Florencio was an avid hunter, traveler, and chef. He also loved reading books on military history and listening to his favorite military marches by John Philip Sousa.

Florencio lived a life of immense generosity, humble gratitude and really appreciated the little things. One of his greatest traits was the intentional kindness he bestowed on everyone he encountered. His life was a living example of a favorite family Bible verse, Ephesians 4:32, "And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ." He was truly such a wonderful man with a beautiful heart of gold.

Florencio is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Marcus Ann Langston Gutierrez, his parents, Florencio Gutierrez Sr. and Zoila Gutierrez, his sister, Judith Marie Gutierrez, and his brother, Alberto David Gutierrez. Survivors of Florencio are his daughter Olivia Lee Pelech and her husband Russell Lee Pelech of Bellaire, Texas; his beloved grandchild Madeline Lee Pelech; his brother Carlos Gutierrez, and many nieces and nephews.

A visitation and luncheon for friends and family will be held Sunday, September 10th, at 12:00 pm followed by a funeral service at 2:00 pm at Forest Park Westheimer Funeral Home and Cemetery.

The family would like to thank all the many personal caregivers, staff, and medical professionals at The Gardens of Bellaire, Fresenius Dialysis Center at Meyerland, and Bluebonnet Hospice, for the care and dignity bestowed on Florencio. The family is especially grateful for the many prayers, visits, and well-wishes from dear friends and family and the wonderful staff at St. Vincent De Paul Catholic Church and West University Baptist Church.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.forestparkwestheimer.com for the Gutierrez family.