Candelario Ordonez Gutierrez, Jr., 77, of Bay City, passed away Tuesday, November 5, 2024. He was born January 27, 1947, in Bay City, to the late Candelario Gutierrez, Sr., and Dominga Gutierrez. He was raised in Sweeny, Texas.

He played summer league and semi-pro baseball. He also served his country in the United States Army during Vietnam. Candelario loved fishing, working around the house, playing with crossword puzzles, and playing with his grandkids and great grandkids. He loved going out to eat and loved being around his family, and he really loved his Philadelphia Eagles. He enjoyed watching sports and the weather. He was very faithful watching Mass on TV. He loved his family; they were everything to him. He would call everyone daily to see how they were doing. He treated everyone he knew as family. He wasn't afraid to show his emotions to anyone. He always told you he loved you and gave the biggest hugs to friends and family. He loved sitting on the porch eating his apple while watching the neighborhood. He would feed the birds and squirrels with his leftover apple. He truly had a huge heart.

He married his loving wife, Rosa Perez Gutierrez, on February 24, 1967, and spent 57 wonderful years together. He was a wonderful husband and father to four children, Julie Garcia (Roel), Nicanor Gutierrez (Amanda), Cindy Aguilar (John Manuel), and Joseph Gutierrez (Analuisa). He had 11 grandchildren, Cynthia Lorta, Sotero Lorta, Jr. (April), Crystal Lorta, Brittany Sendejo (Cristina), John Aguilar III (Brenda), Celeste Garcia, Gabriella Gutierrez, Ceanna Aguilar, Ciara Aguilar, Mariah Garcia, and Nicanor Gutierrez; 9 great-grandchildren, Brian Lorta, Grayson Aguilar, Adelina Lorta, Gabriel Aguilar, Joel Esparza, Adevina Lorta, Jaylene Esparza, Ezekiel Castillo, and Lily Zamora; and siblings Paula Garza, Patty Perez, and Eddie Gutierrez.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Candelario Gutierrez, Sr., and Dominga Ordonez Gutierrez; and sister, Herlinda Ramirez.

The family will receive relatives and friends for visitation from 5-7pm Sunday, November 10, 2024, at Taylor Bros. Funeral Home. The Holy Rosary will be recited by Deacon Joe Ramos at 6:30pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00am Monday, November 11, 2024, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church with Rev. Gabriel Espinosa officiating. Interment will immediately follow at Cedarvale Cemetery in Bay City, Texas. Pallbearers for Mr. Gutierrez will be Sotero Lorta, Jr., John Aguilar III, Nicanor Gutierrez, Edward Blake Gutierrez, Roel Garcia, and John Manuel Aguilar.

Online condolences may be shared with the family by visiting www.taylorbros.net