Antonio "Monkey" Gutierrez

Antonio "Monkey" Gutierrez, 21, of North Charleston, South Carolina, passed away on Friday, December 19, 2025.

Born on May 18, 2004, in Edison, New Jersey, Antonio was the son of Melissa Murray and Francisco Gutierrez.

Antonio is survived by both parents; his seven-month-old son, Rowyn; all of his siblings; and countless other family members and chosen family, people he loved fiercely and never distinguished by blood alone.

Monkey was beyond proud to have just become a father and was fully committed to the role in the way only he could be. Rowyn was typically no more than an arm's length away, often perched on Monkey's lap while he played video games, completely entertained and clearly running the show, or being his sidekick while at work. Before his untimely passing, Monkey was already focused on giving his son the kind of upbringing that would one day make Rowyn proud to call him Dad, alongside Rowyn's mother, Aryanna, with intention, love, and a whole lot of heart.

Monkey loved basketball, being outdoors fishing or dirt biking, and doing anything that involved movement, noise, or a little chaos. He had a sharp, sarcastic sense of humor, was a prankster by nature, and unapologetically a jackass in the very best way. Making people laugh wasn't something he tried to do, it was instinctual. At the end of the day, Monkey genuinely loved seeing people happy. He had a rare way of bringing out the best in others, whether they were ready for it or not.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, January 3, 2026, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM at McAlister-Smith Funeral Home, Goose Creek. The funeral service will follow at 3:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, please plant a tree in Antonio's memory.

Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at mcalister-smith.com/. 

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to McAlister-Smith Funeral & Cremation, 869 St. James Avenue, Goose Creek, SC 29445, (843) 553-1511.