Gilbert Gutierrez (1926 - 2006)

Born 28 Feb 1926 in Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas, United States

Died 10 Nov 2006 at age 80 in Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas, United States

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Biography

Gilbert Gutierrez served in the United States Marine Corps in World War II
Service started:
Unit(s): 5th Joint Assault Signal Company, 5th Division
Service ended:

Attached to 2nd Battalion, 28th Marines, 5th Division.

Another one of my wealthy friends was Mr. Gilbert Gutierrez, owner of Gilbert’s Jewelry. Gilbert was wounded at the battle of Mt. Suribachi, on Iwo Jima, in 1945. After the war Gilbert attended a trade school to repair watches and jewelry with the aid of the G.I. Bill. Gilbert opened his small jewelry shop on the 1400 block of North Main adjacent to Hispanic bars. Determined and persevering he labored for years until he bought several lots and built a small mini mall that housed a flower shop, cleaners, barber shop and his jewelry store. For years Gilbert sold fine jewelry and was a tax preparer for Hispanics in North Fort Worth. He invested his money wisely in land and real estate and by the 1980s accrue a sizeable fortune. Gilbert, a Methodist, always-donated fine jewelry and watches for raffles to help raise money for All Saints Catholic School where our daughters attended. When his wife (Cordelia), a Catholic died, my choir sung at her mass. Impressed with the choir, Gilbert called me to his store. At the store Gilbert told me, “Gino, I want you to record an album and money is no object.” After finding a studio and recording company the total sum for pressing 1,000 albums was over $7,000. Gilbert said, “Go for it!” After we recorded the album we sold them in less than two months for $10. Making over $10,000 I wanted to pay Gilbert his money. He said, “Keep it and record another, but this time let me select the songs.” We did as he said and again sold all of them.

Sources

• "Texas Birth Certificates, 1903-1935," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VXM8-QJ4 : 4 December 2014), Gilbert Gutierrez, 28 Feb 1926; citing Fort Worth, Tarrant, Texas, United States, certificate 13535, Bureau of Vital Statistics. State Registrar Office, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,240,078.

• "United States Census, 1940," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K47F-3FB : 17 May 2014), Gilberto Gutierrez in household of Amador Gutierrez, Ward 12, Fort Worth, Justice Precinct 1, Tarrant, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 257-90, sheet 12B, family 281, NARA digital publication T627 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2012), roll 4186.

• "United States Social Security Death Index," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JTFW-XJ4 : 20 May 2014), Gilbert Gutierrez, 10 Nov 2006; citing U.S. Social Security Administration, Death Master File, database (Alexandria, Virginia: National Technical Information Service, ongoing).

• Find A Grave: Memorial #109677069