Philemon “Phil” Gutierrez, Jr., 83, of Holton, KS, passed away Tuesday, February 25, 2020 at Holton Community Hospital. He was born February 8, 1937 in Topeka, KS, the son of Philemon Sr. and Marciana Llamas-Gutierrez.

He attended Lincoln Grade School, East Topeka Jr. High School and Topeka High School. Phil earned his Bachelor’s Degree from Washburn University in 1971. He earned his Masters of Social Work from the University of Kansas in 1973, while attending college he worked for the Topeka State Hospital, VA Hospital and U.S. Postal Service.

Phil was an avid Jayhawk Basketball fan and life member of Washburn University and Kansas University Alumni Association.

He proudly served in the United States Navy during the Korean War. While in the Navy, he earned his G.E.D. Phil later retired from the United States Army Reserve as a Major.

Upon graduating from KU, he went to work for the U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Prisons as a Correctional Treatment Specialist. Retiring as Regional Assistant Correctional Programs Administrator on October 31, 1994, after 35 years of service.

After retirement, he was a Disaster Volunteer for the American Red Cross in San Francisco, CA, Red Cross Office Manager in Livermore, CA and a Director for pre-released center for federal offenders in Oakland, CA.

He was a longtime member of the Holton American Legion Post 44 and Holton V.F.W. Post 1367. He was also a Hospice Social Worker for NEK Multicounty Home Health and Hospice in Hiawatha.

Phil married Rosemary Rocha on December 23, 1955, they divorced.

He married Colene L. Moser on February 14, 1978 in Long Beach, CA. They celebrated over 41 years of marriage.

Survivors include his wife, Colene Moser-Gutierrez of the home, his 6 children, Marciana D. Gutierrez, Jennifer Gutierrez, Angela Gutierrez and Matthew G. Gutierrez all of Topeka, KS, Dominic A. Gutierrez, Sr. of Kingwood, TX and Martin J. Gutierrez (Kimberly) of Fort Worth, TX; 15 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Fernando Dexter Gutierrez (infant) and Leon T. Gutierrez; sisters, Belia G. Lowe, Sylvia G. Lopez and Corliss Gutierrez.

Celebration of life will be 1:30 p.m. Monday, March 2, 2020 at the Mercer Funeral Home in Holton. Family will greet friend following the service. Burial will be at a later date. Phil will lie in state beginning Friday afternoon at the funeral home. Memorials may be given to the Heart of Jackson Humane Society c/o Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 270, Holton, KS 66436. To leave a special message for the family, please visit www.mercerfuneralhomes.com.