"Cherie and I have missed him and Larrimore. We have had dinner with them at their home in Silver City and at the Buckhorn. He was a great cook and they both were and will remain great friends. We miss them. God bless them both. Love Ron and Cherie Oglesby "
In loving memory of
Carlos Gutierrez- Wickett
October 3, 1935 - June 16, 2018
Carlos Gutierrez-Wickett passed away on Saturday, June 16, 2018. Carlos was born October 3, 1935 in Mexico City, Mexico. He attended high school at Tex-Mex in Texas and then graduated from Southeastern State College in Durant, Oklahoma with a Bachelor of Science in Education. He became a U.S. citizen in November 1971. Carlos worked almost his entire life for the Presbyterian Church.
He began his career working with undocumented migrants in southwest New Mexico. He ministered to the social needs of these people. Ministering to those who are less fortunate tugged at his heart. He comforted the children by keeping them occupied with crafts, movies and being there for them. For several decades Carlos represented the Presbyterian Church throughout Latin America. He was the founder of the Agua Fria Food Bank in Avondale, Arizona.
He received many accolades over the years for his hard work and devotion to serving people. He received the Dr. George Benjamin Brooks award from the Presbytery of Grand Canyon in 1995 for his many years of dedicated and compassionate service to the rural poor of Maricopa County: being an advocate, enabler, leader, resource, confidant and friend. Carlos also received the Rodney T. Martin award from the Presbyterian Health, Education and Welfare Association for his many years of exemplary service. Carlos served as President of P.H.E.W.A. for two years. He also served as chair of the nominating committee of the Presbyterian Church, USA; and he served four years on the Mimbres Region Art Council in Silver City, NM.
Carlos was an avid collector of art. Mexican, Native American and Southwestern art were among his favorites. He loved jewelry, especially turquoise! Carlos was also a wonderful cook! He loved making necklaces and coloring in his adult coloring books. For more than 10 years he created an ofrenda to celebrate the Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos) in galleries in Silver City, NM. He also built an ofrenda at Westminster Village North in Indianapolis, IN the past two years, which was a first for that community.
Carlos is survived by his loving husband, Larimore K. Gutierrez-Wickett. They were married in the eyes of God on May 14, 1993 and married in the eyes of the law on December 1, 2012.
He is also survived by his first spouse Myrtle Combrink and their daughter, Karla Lee (Cullen) Gutierrez-Whitmire. Step children Camille Gaughan, Chris Gaughan, Kathryn W. (Scott) Miller, John L.V. (Erika) Wickett.
Grandchildren: Sidney Jordan Gutierrez-Whitmire, Collin Gaughan, Natalie Gaughan, Devin Miller, Darien Miller, Evelyn Wickett & Nolan Wickett.
Siblings: Ruben Gutierrez Sanchez, Julio Gutierrez Sanchez, Rocio Esperanza Gutierrez Sanchez and Veronica Gutierrez Sanchez.
He was preceded in death by his father Carlos Gutierrez Castillo, adoptive mother, Esperanza Sanchez Zavala, his birth mother, Carlota and his brother, Jorge Gutierrez Sanchez.
Carlos was a doting father to Karla, supporting her ice-skating, and being there for anything she ever needed. They also had many wonderful trips including visiting family in Mexico. Carlos loved his grandchildren and boy did they love him. Grandpa Carlos or Papa Carlos was a favorite person to have in the house. He was so much fun and gave so much time and attention to them. We all have many memories of laughter with "the grandpas"! Carlos loved to travel. Larimore and Carlos traveled a lot and have the pictures to prove it. Carlos LOVED to take pictures. He loved growing plants and flowers his whole life. He loved his dog, Oso who would roam their six acres and chase desert creatures.
Carlos and Larimore have been loved and admired in all of the places they have lived. Servants at heart, they have given so much time to their communities. They have been inseparable since they met on a trip to Eastern Europe. They did everything together. In the churches Larimore has served, Carlos has been there with him. Listening to sermons, serving on boards, helping people in the congregation, and decorating the church for all seasons was Carlos' passion.
Carlos will be greatly missed. The lasting imprint on our hearts is love, laughter, compassion, equality, unity and peace.
Memorial service will be held at Westminster Village North, 11050 Presbyterian Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46236 in the social hall in Tamarack building at 4:00 pm on Tuesday, June 26th.
Interment will be in Our Lady of Peace Cemetery in Indianapolis, Indiana.
You are invited to visit the website www.leppertmortuary.com where you may share a memory of Carlos or arrange for a memorial contribution to the Alzheimer's Research Foundation. 3152 Little Road, Suite 146, Trinity, FL 34655 or online at:
http://www.alzheimersresearchfoundation.com/make-a-donation/
Tributes
"Dear Larimore, please accept the sincerest sympathy from all of us at the Mimbres Region Arts Council. "
"Larimore, our heart is broken too we loved Carlos very much, it was our pleasure knowing him. Our deepest condolences, Peggy & Charles"
"Carlos was such a warm and wonderful friend. I don't think he ever had an enemy...he loved everyone. And everyone loved him. He was so very artistic and talented and was an extreme joy to be around...always offering advice...because he was a wealth of knowledge! The only good thing (if I am at liberty to say) about his passing, is that he does not have to suffer any longer with Alzheimer's. He will be missed. Sharon Beach DeLand, FL (formerly of Silver City, NM)"