I would like to share a story with you. It’s about an amazing man from Peru, who was a business owner in Cambria and more importantly my father, Luis “Louie” Gutierrez.
At the beginning of March, he suffered a stroke and was rushed to Sierra Vista Hospital. He was there for over three weeks. During his time there, his body was faced with many medical challenges. He kept fighting through them, always being so strong and always with a smile on his face. He fought for his family and for his loved ones in Cambria.
Unfortunately, Sunday, March 29 at 3:41am, he passed away, the day after his 78th birthday. The whole community of Cambria has gathered on Cambria Facebook group pages, to share stories of him from their childhood, seeing him in church, visiting him at his businesses, and seeing him in the community.
He owned a video rental store in Cambria called The Video Kid, where people are still remembering his words of “I want my movie.” During that time of owning the Video Kid, for a short while, he also opened a “Disney” themed store, called Louie’s Happyland. After the Video Kid and Louie’s Happyland, he co-owned the Cambria General Store for over 20 years with his son. He retired in 2023.
He is also well known for being overseeing the Waiter/Waitress Race for the 4th of July celebration at Shamel Park in Cambria. He was such a tangible man, who loved everyone and greeted everyone with his luminous smile. He came here to the United States of America at a young age, worked hard every day, and built a village around him, out of love and joy.
The outpouring of love has greatly increased my love for the community of my hometown of Cambria. Seeing and hearing so many stories shared about my dad has warmed my heart for all of the lives he touched. He has been described by many as a legend, a pillar, iconic, a light, and a beautiful soul in the Village of Cambria, and I know he’s already greatly missed by so many. We, his family, miss him so much and can only hope to continue to walk his footsteps and inspire others to live the way he lived, working hard and sharing his love and light.
He is survived by his wife, Janet, his son, Christopher, his daughter, Kimberly, and his granddaughters, Kulia and Angelique. Funeral services will be on Saturday, May 23 at 10:30 a.m. at the Santa Rosa Catholic Church in Cambria with a reception to follow at the same location.
Kimberly Gutierrez and the Gutierrez Family
San Luis Obispo
