Oscar Gutierrez Chavez

Oscar Gutierrez Chavez, our beloved son, big brother, uncle, cousin, and friend left this life on Sunday, May 26, 2019 while residing and working in Iowa. Oscar was born on Christmas Day, 1992 to Laura and Homero Gutierrez in Watsonville, Calif. He was raised in Fillmore, Utah and attended Millard High School where he made lifelong friends with fellow students as well as faculty and staff.  He had opportunities to live in, and/or had family in Oregon, Arkansas, Mexico, and Iowa where he made and loved many friends.

As the firstborn son, Oscar was a blessing. His family has countless memories of his incessant humor. From a one year old sticking his finger in papa’s mouth, to his prolific, creative ways he kept Daniel laughing so that he might forget the tough stuff going on. He was gifted with a pure love that resembled that of his mother, Laura. Laughter was his tool. Love was his shield. His baby brother was his student as he taught him great answers to his many questions about the Lord, peace, and love. He taught Homero to put passion and purpose into his work. His family knew of his inner battles and watched him try to conquer and re-conquer those battles with Christ, love, and service.

And for his angel mother, Oscar was her boy who challenged her with worry when he struggled, but would be the first to lift her when she had her own challenges, by bringing her chocolate or a flower to say, “You can do it, mama. You’ve got this.” He never left the house without saying, “I love you, ma!” She will miss that deeply.

All who knew Oscar, knew of his love for them and his incredible drive to serve, uplift, make others laugh and feel accepted and cared for. He would be the first to arrive when help was needed and often looked for chances to do acts of kindness for the unsuspecting. He adored talking and visiting aged and homebound seniors.

Oscar lived to meet new people and make others laugh. He put the needs of others before his own. He loved Hip-hop and being around his family and friends. He was a big brother to all who were younger than him, little brother to many who took him under their wing while working alongside them on local jobsites and assignments, grandson to ALL senior folks who would welcome him into their lives and homes, and surrogate son to many moms and dads in his small community. He is loved deeply and will be missed profoundly.

Oscar joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with the desire to serve Christ as a missionary. With incredible work and sacrifice, and with loving support from so very many who loved him, he was called to the Texas Lubbock Mission and served honorably from September 2016 through August 2018. He loved the people he served and the companions he served with. . .and they loved him in return. President David Heap said of Oscar, “You couldn’t find a single person in the areas he served that didn’t love Elder Gutierrez.”

Oscar is survived by his mother and father, Laura and Homero Gutierrez, little brothers, Daniel Gutierrez Chavez (Gabriella), and Homero Gutierrez Chavez, by beloved grandparents Juan Chavez Canisál and Maria de la Paz Pantoja Garcia, as well as chosen brothers,  Johny Muñoz, Chandera Hem, Austin Dastrup, Caden Carter, Vuthy Ouk, Daniel Ouk, Jonathan Ouk, Omar Garcia, Ricky Martinez, Julio Escobedo, and Iovanny Milan . He is survived also by loving aunts, uncles, many cousins, two sweet nephews, and his beautiful niece. They will miss him deeply.

Finally, the choices of the last hours of his life have left his family, friends, and community heartbroken and confused. However, Oscar’s love for the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and his abiding testimony of its truths, gives them hope and comfort that they will be united once again with their sweet son, brother, nephew, cousin, and friend.

We love you Oscar. Watch over us. . .until we meet again.

*We wish to bring out of the shadows the often hidden issues of depression, addictions, and suicide.  Our beloved Oscar struggled with, and eventually succumbed to all of these. We plead with everyone, if you think you may know of someone, or if you yourself struggle with any of these challenges, know that there is help. You are not alone. Visit one of the following to start down the path to answers and hope. May the Lord bless you.

Sincerely,                                          

The Gutierrez Family                      

suicide.lds.org

suicideispreventable.org

lds.org/mentalhealth

helpguide.org

Funeral Services will be held Saturday, June 1, 2019 in the Fillmore 1st and 4th Ward Chapel at 11:00 AM.  Viewings will be held Friday, May 31, 2019 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM  and Saturday prior to the funeral from 9:30 to 10:30 AM both at the Fillmore 1st and 4th Ward Chapel.  Interment will be at the Fillmore City Cemetery under the care of Olpin Stevens Funeral Home.  Online condolences can be offered at www.olpinstevensfuneralhome.com.