Ralph Thomas "Tom" Gutierrez was born on August 30, 1947, in Las Cruces, New Mexico, to Ralph Gutierrez and his war bride, Jean Breakiron Gutierrez. Tom passed away peacefully at his home on December 5, 2025.
A 1961 graduate of Holy Cross Catholic School, Tom attended Las Cruces High School where he excelled. He was an Eagle Scout, the 137-pound State Wrestling Champion, and received the Whitfield Leadership Award for the Class of 1965. Following a walk-on wrestling scholarship at the University of New Mexico, he entered the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.
Upon graduating from the Naval Academy in 1970, Tom was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps. He completed The Basic School in Quantico, Virginia, followed by Naval Flight Officer School in Pensacola, Florida, and completed training in Radar Intercept and F-4J Engine Maintenance at Cherry Point, North Carolina. In 1972, he arrived at his first operational squadron in Kaneohe Marine Corps Air Station, Hawaii, assigned to VMFA-212, MAG-24, where he flew for three years. While stationed in Hawaii, Tom earned a Master's Degree in Systems Management from the University of Southern California.
Following his Active-Duty service Tom worked as a Natural Gas Engineer for the City of Las Cruces for eight years before transitioning to the Gas Company of New Mexico. In 1988, he joined the Department of Energy, dedicating over 40 years to the Federal Government before retiring in 2020. During this time, Tom transferred from the Marine Corps to the United States Naval Reserves, serving as a Civil Engineer Corps officer, where he lived the Seabees motto; "Can Do". He served as the Executive Officer of Reserve Naval Construction Battalion-22.
Passionate about the future of the service, Tom served as a Blue and Gold Officer for over 25 years, interviewing high school seniors aspiring to enter the Naval Academy. After marrying Rebecca Vigil in 2008, the couple worked as a team to support and interview candidates. Tom was loved and respected by everyone he encountered, and his beautiful smile was endearing to all.
Tom is survived by his devoted and loving wife, Rebecca D. Vigil (former New Mexico Secretary of State); his son, CDR Patrick T. Gutierrez, his wife Danielle, and their four children, Roy, Zoe, Mia, and Kai; his stepson, Andy Giron and Maria; and his two stepdaughters, Sarah (husband Greg Schwarz, children Virginia and Erick) and Jennifer (son Eloy).
The Gutierrez and Vigil families extend their gratitude to the doctors, nurses, and technicians on the 5th Floor Oncology Wing at the University of New Mexico Hospital and UNM Cancer Center for their compassionate care. Special thanks to the Department of Veterans Affairs Community Care Network and Legacy Hospice and Visiting Angels for the dignity and care shown to Tom.
Services will be held on Friday, January 30, 2026, at Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church (811 Guaymas Pl. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87108). A Rosary will be recited at 12:30 p.m., followed by the Mass at 1:00 p.m. Burial will be at the Santa Fe National Cemetery, on Monday, February 2, at 1:00 p.m.
Updated: January 05, 2026
Curator: Ed Moore