PURCELLVILLE, Va. - James Dennis Gutierrez, 57, of Purcellville, Va., died suddenly on June 7, 2012.
Jim was born May 19, 1955, in Chicago and lived most of his childhood years in Niles.
He was the son of the late Dr. Oscar and Bonnajean Gutierrez.
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James Dennis Gutierrez
Jim graduated from Kent State University in 1977 and was commissioned in the U.S. Army, where he served 11 years on active duty and an additional 14 years in the U.S. Army Reserve, retiring at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. During his Army career, Jim held a variety of positions in logistics, operations and intelligence, serving with distinction as a senior staff officer involved in planning major combined arms exercises. While serving on active duty, Jim also found time to complete his MBA from Long Island University.
In 1989, Jim began his career with the Central Intelligence Agency, working as an intelligence operations officer in East Asia Division and collection management officer in the Near East Division. In 2008, he served one year in a warzone in Iraq. At the time of his death, he was a staff operations officer in the National Clandestine Service in the Near Asia Division.
While living in Ellicott City, Md., in 1989, Jim began his volunteer firefighting career, a passion which continued during moves to Albuquerque, N.M., and Pittsburgh, coming to fruition when he and his family moved to Purcellville in 2005. Jim was an active member of the Purcellville Volunteer Fire Company; promoting membership, running crew, organizing open houses and a variety of other activities, and was currently serving on the board of directors.
Not content with just learning and maintaining his firefighter skills, in 2009 Jim joined the Purcellville Volunteer Rescue Squad and completed his emergency management technician basic training. He enjoyed running his rescue duty and frequently volunteered to provide EMS support at various community events, just recently helping at the Wine Country Half-Marathon.
Jim's three loves were his family, his country and his community he gave them all his devotion and they were all made better because of him.
He is survived by his wife of nearly 25 years, Anne Gloninger Gutierrez; his son Patrick; and his two daughters, Maggie and Katie. He also is survived by his brother Daniel and his sister Janet.
His brother, Randy, preceded Jim in death.
Visitation was held on Sunday, June 10, at Hall Funeral Home, Purcellville, Va. A funeral Mass took place Monday, June 11, at St. Francis de Sales Roman Catholic Church, in Purcellville. The firefighters and EMT personnel hung an enormous flag in front of the church in Jim's honor. He received a bagpipe tribute followed by the playing of Taps.
Burial will take place at 9 a.m., July 12, at Arlington National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Purcellville Volunteer Firefighter Foundation, which provides scholarships to volunteer fire and rescue personnel and their children.
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