Frank Gutierrez

Frank Gutierrez, 75, of Redondo Beach, passed away with his beloved wife Katrina and family at his side on April 16 after a long and valiant battle with cancer.

Frank was born on October 16th, 1948, in Lubbock, TX. to parents Frank and Lupe Gutierrez. As a youth, Frank moved to Carson, CA where he graduated from Carson High School in 1967. While in high school, Frank excelled in athletics where he was the captain of the 1966 championship football team and first Mexican American from Carson High to be awarded first team All-City. On the wrestling mat, he was the All-City Champion in the 198-weight division. Frank was a force of nature and earned the nickname “The Bull” which was fitting due to his relentless pursuit of success. When he wasn’t competing in HS athletics, he enjoyed surfing at Torrance beach and spending time driving his beloved 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air. Frank went on attend and obtained degrees from Harbor College AA, Cal State University Long Beach B.S., Cal State Dominguez Hills M.S. Certificates from Harvard University in Community Organizing and Real Estate Development from USC.

After graduation, Frank stayed in Carson and was very active in the city’s incorporation. After the city was formed, Frank was successful in lobbying the Carson City Council into placing citizens from the Carson Samoan and Mexican American community on various City of Carson commissions where there had been no previous representation. Shortly after the City of Carson was formed, Frank organized and founded the Mexican American Association of Carson and served as its first duly elected President. This group sought and obtained “Social Justice” long before those words were as common as today. Frank fought for jobs, worked on police issues, and helped provide toys and gifts during the Christmas season to those in need.

A few years after graduating from Carson, Frank was publicly elected and served on the L.A. City School Mexican American Education Commission. Frank made a positive impact by representing Mexican American students with grievances, review and correct disparities in scholarships and provide representation within any school.

Frank went on to work for several years with the County of Los Angeles and eventually became a successful Real Estate Broker. During that time, he moved to the Hollywood Rivera area of the South Bay where he enjoyed getting close to the beach he enjoyed as well as his new love for tennis. Frank also became closer to God while being very involved with St. Lawrence Church where he would enjoy attending mass and assisting with the Christmas Mass

Frank is survived by wife Katrina, Children Frank III, Canuto, Leanne, Lauren, and Grandchildren Erik, Ethan And Aubrey, brother Carlos Gutierrez and sister Mari Ramirez.