Apolonio Gutierrez,

WESLACO / EDCOUCH - Judge Apolonio Gutiérrez, Jr. (Retired), 98, of Weslaco, Texas and formerly of Edcouch, Texas passed away on Tuesday, December 5, 2017, at John Knox Village Medical Center in Weslaco. He is preceded in death by his wife, Presentación (Penchón) Cantú parents, eight siblings and all brothers-in-law and all but two sisters-in-law. He is survived by his sister Juanita Gutiérrez Gonzalez of McAllen, TX, and two sisters-in-law, Emelia Gutiérrez, Edinburg, TX and Maria Cantu, Edcouch, TX. He had recently been a resident of John Knox Village in Weslaco since January of 2007. Apolonio Gutiérrez, Jr. was born in Zamora, Michoacán, México on May 12, 1919. He was the son of Apolonio Gutiérrez (Sr.) Nápoles and Juana Lara Báez. He immigrated from México with his family to the Lower Rio Grande Valley and settled in Edcouch, Texas on October 25, 1927, where he became a life-long resident. He officially went by the name A. Gutiérrez, Jr. and was affectionately known as "Borrado'', a Spanish nickname meaning "Hazel" because of the color of his eyes. In Edcouch, he met and married the mother of his children, María Presentación Cantú de la Cruz, known by all as "Penchón". They were married as teenagers and the marriage last for almost 65 years until her passing in 2002. "Borrado" was a veteran and served with the 20th Armored Division in the Western European fronts during WWII. He has been nominated for the French Legion of Honor Medal and is awaiting official notification of award. It is the highest French decoration established to recognize eminent merits in the service of France. His careers and business ventures included that of a candy salesman, owner/operator of the Patio Cafe restaurant, owner of the Gutiérrez Bakery and Tortilla factory in Edcouch, co-owner of City Finance Company in Elsa, Texas and County Loan Company in Pharr, Texas. He was a civic-minded individual and active civil servant in his community. He was a progressive man who helped lead the community towards ending segregation and as a result of his efforts helped integrate schools and neighborhoods. He served as the Fire Marshal for the local volunteer fire department; was an elected city official, a school board member and ended his political career elected as the Precinct 5 Justice of the Peace. After 20 plus years as a JP, his constituents respectfully referred to him as "Judge." He was also a member of Knights of Columbus, Lions Club, Rotary Club and the American Legion of Veterans of Foreign War. Borrado and Penchón had seven children, three of whom died at birth or infancy, Diana I, Delia and Dario. Judge Gutiérrez is survived by four children, Dora Isabel Gutiérrez Gembinski (Chuck) Austin, Texas, Diana Gutiérrez de los Santos (Mike) Brownsville, Texas, Daniel Gutiérrez (Aurora) Pharr, Texas and David Gutiérrez (Alice) Springfield, Illinois. He is survived by 10 grandchildren: Daniel Gutiérrez, Jr.; Brownsville, TX; Delinda González, Houston, TX; Dalia Salazar, Houston, TX; Dean Gutiérrez, Brownsville, TX; Regina Delgado, San Antonio, TX; Michael de los Santos, San Antonio, TX; Diana Lynn Gembinski, Austin, Texas, Dora Wilson, Houston, TX; Sergio Gutiérrez, Camas, WA and Mario Gutiérrez, Springfield, IL. Also surviving, are 14 great-grandchildren, Dean Jr, Natasha, Jared, Leon Daniel, Alexandria, Priscilla, Joshua, Danielle, Gerry, Emma, Daniel III, Lily, David VII, and Oscar Apolonio and two great-great-grandchildren: Mia and Aiden Jax. He was preceded in death by eight nephews and nieces and survived by 50 of them scattered throughout the states of Texas, Illinois, New Mexico, California, and Arizona. Visitation is scheduled for Friday, December 8th, 2017 from 4 pm to 9 pm with a 7 pm Rosary at McCaleb Funeral Home in Weslaco. Funeral service will be held on Saturday, December 9th, 2017, 10 am at St. Teresa Catholic Church in Edcouch with burial to follow at Highland Memorial Park in Weslaco. Pallbearers are all his nephews: Salvador Rios, Aurora, Illinois; David Salinas, Albuquerque, New Mexico; Jesus Gutierrez, Jr. Austin, Texas; Johnnie Gutierrez, Edinburg, Texas; Jaime Gutierrez, Elsa, Texas; and Javier Gutierrez,Harlingen, Texas. Honorary pallbearers will be his ten grandchildren: Daniel Gutiérrez, Jr.; Brownsville, TX; Delinda González, Houston, TX; Dalia Salazar, Houston, TX; Dean Gutiérrez, Brownsville, TX; Regina Delgado, San Antonio, TX; Michael de los Santos, San Antonio, TX; Diana Lynn Gembinski, Austin, Texas; Dora Wilson, Houston, TX; Sergio Gutiérrez, Camas, WA and Mario Gutiérrez, Springfield, IL. The family of the late Judge Apolonio Gutiérrez, Jr., wish to extend our sincere thanks for your many kindnesses, and for the support that we have received from his providers, Delia Gutierrez, Connie Mata, Eva Cavazos, and Juanita Lozano. We also send our gratitude and appreciation to the whole staff of John Knox Village for the wonderful care and friendship during his time with you. Funeral arrangements are under the care of McCaleb Funeral Home of Weslaco, Texas.