Joe Lecruz Gutierrez
Posted By tatemortuary on March 8, 2009
He was born Aug. 5, 1920, in Santa Clara Pueblo, N.M. to Eugene and Faustina Tafoya Gutierrez. Joe married his sweetheart Rosalie Marie Naranjo in November 1948 and the marriage was later solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple in March 1955.
Joe was raised in the Tewa-speaking Pueblo of Santa Clara, N.M. He attended boarding school at the Santa Fe Indian School, N.M., where he graduated in 1938. He served honorably in the U.S. Army Air Corps from 1941 to 1944 and was a decorated soldier serving in Puerto Rico and at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. After military service, he married and settled in Utah where he was employed by Tooele Army Depot and retired in 1980. Joe was a convert and lifelong member of the LDS church and served in many positions, primarily serving as Ward Clerk in numerous wards.
Joe will be remembered as a generous, gracious, and peaceful man who lived his life by loving and serving others. He was a man of great faith and patience. He loved and valued family, church, heritage, and education; and instilled these values in his children and grandchildren. For many years Joe and family entertained at church, school and public functions by performing native Pueblo dances and songs. He and his wife were award-winning dancers and appeared in many photos and film documentaries.
He is survived by three daughters and one son: Geraldine McQuistan, Farmington, N.M.; Myra Lockie, Stansbury Park; Jan Abugharbieh, Albuquerque, N.M.; and Joseph Gutierrez, Salt Lake City. He is survived by, Tony (Terry) Gutierrez, Candelaria Naranjo and Nina Motah, Santa Clara Pueblo, N.M.; Alfonsa Owens, Claremore, Okla.
He is survived by eight grandchildren: Tyra Jacquez (Robert), Michael Begay (Jennifer), Andrea Begay, Stacey Begay; Ramsay Bryan (Mellissa), Garis Bryan (Kathy); Nash Lockie, Teena Lockie. He is survived by seven great-grandchildren: Emalee and Benjamin Jacquez; Samantha, Mary Elizabeth, and Isaac Begay; Jade Bryan and Ethan Bryan. Joe is also survived by loving and close family members Stan Cavis, Amardo Gutierrez, Jolene Gutierrez and many cousins, nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his wife, parents, brothers, Leandro, Valentino, Frank, Celestino; and loving grandson, Jarom Bryan.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, March 12, at 1 p.m. at the Tooele North Stake Center, 583 N. 270 East, Tooele, with viewing two hours prior to the services from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Interment is at Tooele City Cemetery.
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