Ernest C. “Andy” Tautimes

76, of Phoenix passed away on 08/17/2011. He was born in Phoenix, AZ to Adela (Contreras) and Frank A. Tautimes on November 10, 1934 and was raised by his grandmother, Manuela Alvarez. He graduated from Phoenix Union High School in 1952. He served in the Marine Corps from 1955-1961 and later as a Phoenix Police Officer and Maricopa County Sheriff’s Deputy. He was a 10-year member of Special Operations Group and served as a squad leader at the siege in Wounded Knee from February – June of 1973. During his tour of duty, he was involved in numerous FIST and Sting operations which included “Operation New Life” (the Vietnamese repatriation), and the Cuban Refugee Camp in Fort Chaffee, AR from 1974 – 1976 assigned to the Witness Security Section. He retired as a Supervisory Deputy for the District of Arizona in 1989.

Andy’s lifelong friendships included kids from his neighborhood as a child, the “guys” at the Boys Club, his days as a Marine, his time with the Marshal Service, folks he met on the tennis court and even those he hired to help him around the house. It is these friendships that provided him with wonderful and lasting fulfillment. Thank you to each and every one of you who called Andy a “brother” or a friend. Your contribution to his life means so much to us.

Equally fulfilling to Andy was his family life. Andy is survived by Hilda, his wife, brother Frank (Lilly) Ramierez, sister Nellie Larranaga, son Andrew (Mari) Tautimes, and daughters Melissa Tautimes, Debra (Tom) McCarty, Elizabeth Enciso and Lillian Carillo, as well as 18 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his mother Adela, grandmother Manuela, father Frank, and sister Rita (Flores). Visitation Sunday, August 21, 4-8pm (Rosary begins at 7pm) at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, 4800 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix. Funeral Mass Monday, August 22, 10:30am, at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 2312 E. Campbell Avenue, Phoenix. Interment to follow service at St. Francis Catholic Cemetery, 2033 N. 48th Street, Phoenix.