Herlinda Gutierrez

Retired Lt. Colonel Herlinda Gutierrez, better known by all as Tia Cal, passed away peacefully on June 22, 2023, at the age of 92. She was the pillar of her family and beloved.She was born on December 9, 1930, in San Antonio, Texas. Growing up as the middle of three sisters, Cal enjoyed simple pleasures such as spending time with her family and singing while helping her mother around the house. Cal had a nurturing spirit and could always be counted on to help a friend or stranger in need. She decided to pursue a career in nursing and graduated from The Baptist School of Nursing in San Antonio. Extremely independent and ahead of her time, she decided to follow her passion and continue her education. She courageously enlisted in the Air Force in May 1961 and had a successful 20-year career that took her across the world. Cal worked as an OR nurse tending to the military and their families in countries that lacked resources. While kind and humble, Cal was also tough and determined. Trained in gun handling and sea survival skills, she graduated from flight training at the School of Aviation Medicine in San Antonio in 1966. Cal worked as an Aeromedical Evacuation “Aerovac” nurse, flying and transporting injured soldiers in combat during the Vietnam War. Although she lived far from home, she always kept her family close to her heart. She returned home and was honorably discharged from service in June of 1981. She retired a Lieutenant Colonel from the Air Force in a time when Mexican American women were not typically found in positions of power.Cal enjoyed her retirement years traveling, visiting friends, and giving back to her community. She was a volunteer for Meals on Wheels, as well as the Alamo Breast Cancer Foundation. As a breast cancer survivor, she spent years working help lines and educating women on the importance of early detection. While Cal enjoyed a good Western novel or sharing a meal at Jim’s, she loved her family most of all. She was present for every family gathering and loved spending time with her nieces and nephews.She is preceded in death by her parents Ruben and Juanita Gutierrez, her sisters Julieta Garcia (Oscar Garcia) and Delia Gonzalez (Cesar Gonzalez), and nieces Renee Peterson and DJ Avery. She is survived by her nieces Monica Gonzalez and Laura Fragozo, nephews Cesar Gonzalez (Jim Besta) and Terry Peterson, and great niece and nephews Felicia, Thomas, and Gabriel Fragozo. Tia, thank you for everything. We love you forever.A visitation will take place on Saturday July 8th at 2pm followed by a memorial service at 3pm at Porter Loring on McCullough Ave. Interment with full military honors will take place on Tuesday, July 11th at 9:45am at Ft. Sam National Cemetery.

MEMORIAL SERVICESATURDAY, JULY 8, 20233:00 PMPORTER LORING MORTUARY1101 MCCULLOUGH AVE

Terry Peterson will officiate. Interment with Full Military Honors will follow in Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.