Frank Gutierrez, Jr.

Frank Gutierrez, Jr., 51, of Rapid City, South Dakota, succumbed to a hard-fought battle of seven years with cancer and passed away peacefully early morning on Friday, October 25, 2019.

Frank was born to Carmen (Vidabel) Gutierrez and Frank Gutierrez, Sr. on December 2, 1967, in Great Falls, Montana. He went to elementary school at St. Mary’s, Littleton, Colorado, graduated Mullen High School in Denver and attended Western State in Gunnison, Colorado. He was a three-sport athlete in high school playing football, basketball and baseball. He loved football, was a black belt in Taekwondo, played baseball in the minor leagues and was a whiz at most anything.

Frank enjoyed many friends, and was an impromptu “let’s get together” kind of guy. No plan was necessary, just have fun and see “what” shenanigans he could stir up or get in to.

He enjoyed playing games, cards, board games, being outdoors, winning his fantasy football leagues, gathering with friends and family to watch sports and generally anything that got his friends and family together for a good time. Frank was known by his dry and crazy humor, “Jack of all trades!” He was an exceptional leader and an amazing husband, brother and most of all father.

Frank served in the South Dakota Army National Guard from 2009 until 2019 as an Aircraft Mechanic and Crew chief. He excelled in maintaining the aircraft as well as the Aviation Life Support equipment that all aircrew members relied upon for flying.

He deployed to Texas in support of the Southwest Border mission in January of 2015 for 6 months, and was instrumental in assisting the Border Patrol find and stop illegal activity on the Mexico border. Frank was honorably discharged from the military in May of 2019.

He will always be loved and greatly missed by those left behind: his wife, Karman (her son, Alexander); son, Xavier of Rapid City; daughters, Sydney and Bailey of Colorado; his mother, Carmen of Colorado; brothers, David (and nephew, Gabriel), Joseph and his wife, Robin (nieces, Aviana and Alexis); and sister, Margaret (and niece, Micah) of Colorado.

Frank was preceded in death by grandmother, Amalia Valle and grandfather, Joseph Vidabel; grandparents, Jesus and Eva Gutierrez; and his father-in-law, Jim Knudtson.

Celebration of Life Services were Wednesday, October 30, 2019 at Kirk Funeral Home with Chaplain Lynn Wilson officiating. Inurnment followed at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis, South Dakota. A reception followed at the American Legion Post 22, Rapid City.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established.

Family and friends may sign Frank’s online guestbook at http://www.kirkfuneralhome.com