Our Beloved Father, Richard Lara Gutierrez, passed away peacefully on March 10, 2022, at the age of 96.
Richard was born on February 23, 1926, in Brawley, California to Benito Garcia Gutierrez and Teresa Lara Gutierrez, legal Mexican immigrants, who came to El Paso, Texas from Ciudad Camargo, Chihuahua, Mexico. His parents then traveled to California where they settled in Brawley for several years and then traveled to Corcoran, California where they planted their roots.
Richard was first raised in Brawley California, and then in Corcoran, California where he worked as a young, teen, migrant, farm worker in the fields picking cotton, alongside his older siblings, Socorro, Diego, and Merejildo Gutierrez. He dropped out of school in the eighth grade to continue working in the fields picking cotton to help support the family.
As an American, he proudly served two years during World Word II in the Army with the 63rd Infantry "Blood and Fire" Division in Wiesbaden, Germany. It was there that he met our mother, Lucie Hoffmann, who became a German "War Bride" when they married in 1947. She later become the mother of their five children. Years later the marriage did not work out, and they were divorced in 1965.
After receiving his Army benefits, Richard retained employment as a factory worker in Corcoran for the Boswell Company where he served as a supervisor for laborers in the late '50s. When they demanded fair wages, Richard supported the laborers and was terminated.
Richard like many returning World War II Veterans used his Military Benefits, moved to Pittsburg, California where he purchased a home through the GI Bill. He became a proud and hard worker for Crown Zellerbach in Antioch, California. As a supervisor, he was a tough boss who expected only the best from his co-workers. Crown Zellberbach was later acquired by Gaylord Containers and the company then moved to Gilroy, California, and then to West Covina, California where he lived and worked for many years until his retirement in 1991. In 2009, he moved back to Pittsburg, California to be closer to his children.
Richard had an extraordinary "green-thumb" and loved to garden. "You-name-it", he had it, "in-his-garden" flowers (roses were his specialty), vegetables, plants and fruit trees. Wherever he lived, he always had the "most beautiful yard and garden on the block!"
He was generous to a fault and was always willing to lend a helping hand, either physically and / or financially, to any in need, especially friends and family. He donated regularly to several charities.
Although Richard only attained an 8th grade education, he was very intelligent and a self-taught man who loved to read books through which he gained much knowledge on a variety of subjects.
He was a strict disciplinarian but had a softer side who loved his family and friends, his pets (both dogs and cats), and enjoyed nature and the outdoors.
He also loved to travel and loved camping with his "Lady Love", Norma Nelson. Together they explored many beautiful, scenic sights in California. They traveled to Hawaii every year, went to Florida and went on a cruise along the New England states and into Canada.
Richard had an adventurous spirit and in his elder years went on a balloon ride, "up, up and away!" He learned to dance as a senior citizen and went dancing once a week at a singles club with his "Lady Love" Norma Nelson. Richard also loved music, especially the sounds of the '40s and '50s. Tony Bennett was his favorite singer - "I Left My Heart in San Francisco", his favorite song. San Francisco, was, by far, his "favorite city."
Richard was preceded in death by his parents, Benito and Teresa Gutierrez, his siblings, Socorro, Diego, Merejildo Gutierrez, his newborn infant son, Joseph, and his "Lady Love" Norma Nelson.
He is survived by his children Olivia Rodriguez and husband John, Gunther, Tanya, Randall (Randy) Gutierrez, his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, along with nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Richard was loved by many, and that legacy of love for his family and friends will continue to enrich the lives of those who knew and loved him.

Graveside service will be held on Friday, April 1, 2022, at 1:00pm at Corcoran Cemetery, 4170 Waukena Ave., Corcoran, Ca. 93212. Memorial Service will be held on Friday, April 8, 2022, from 4:00pm – 6:00pm at the Pittsburg Funeral Chapel in Pittsburg.