Events
Viewing
Larkin Sunset Lawn, 2350 E 1300 S, Salt Lake City, UtahMonday Sep 22, 2025: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Viewing
Larkin Sunset Lawn, 2350 E 1300 S, Salt Lake City, UtahTuesday Sep 23, 2025: 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Funeral
Larkin Sunset Lawn, 2350 E 1300 S, Salt Lake City, UtahTuesday Sep 23, 2025: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Marco Ruteleo Herrera passed away early Sunday morning September 14, 2025 at the age of 70. He suffered for many years from neural sarcoidosis which stole from him the use of his arms and legs and took away his ability to swallow and cough.
Marco was born August 19,1955 in Modesto, California to Jose-Herrera-Carcia and Maria Guadalue Hernandez-Rosas. He served his country in the Army in the 82nd Airborne for four years and followed that with twenty years in the Army National Guard, retiring as a Captain.
A long time lover of sports, Marco loved playing baseball, he was really really good at it! As shortstop, he helped lead his UNLV team to the NCAA tournament in 1978 and 1980. The latter of which was the only time UNLV finished the tournament with a winning record. He also coached at the collegiate, high school, and little league levels.
Marco worked as a counselor at West High School and was admired by many of the students there. He loved working as a counselor. He also was involved in Anytown camps for teenagers through the NCCJ (National Coalition of Christians and Jews.)
Marco met Gerri Lynn Speirs early in 1990. For Marco it was love at first sight. Gerri took longer to come around, but eventually they married April 19, 1991. They were lucky enough to have two beautiful boys and two beautiful grandchildren, and of course a daughter-in-law, Kimi.
Marco is survived by his wife Gerri, his son Stephen (Kimi), and two grandchildren. His son, Andrew, preceded him in death. We'd like to give love and appreciation to Samantha McGarry who took such good care of him and felt like part of our family.
Marco will be remembered at a viewing Monday, September 22, 2025 at Larkin Sunset Lawn Mortuary, 2350 East 1300 South, Salt Lake City from 6-8:00 PM.
The funeral service will be held Tuesday, September 23, 2025 at 12:00 PM at Larkin Sunset Lawn with a viewing from 10:30-11:30 AM.
Interment will follow at Larkin Sunset Lawn Cemetery. Marco will be laid to rest next to his son, Andrew.
Those wishing to view the service via Zoom can click "Watch Service" or follow the link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82518612084
Guestbook/Condolences
I often think about a conversation I had with Marco while waiting for an AP Test to start. He was telling me about race and identity, and what it was like for him growing up and feeling like he had to choose between his friends who were telling him to not work hard in school because that’s what white people do. He said it’s much harder to figure out your identity, and you have to confront your race at a much earlier point in life if you’re not white. He told of a meeting he recently attended where everyone was asked to go around the room and say their racial background and one lady said “I’m and my race is … umm… I’m just normal…”. She didn’t even recognize that normal to her may be something very different from normal to someone else. It was a conversation that has profoundly impacted the way I view the world and helped me have a lot more compassion for the silent challenges people face who don’t look the same as me. The point of this comment is not the discussion about race, the point is that a discussion I had with him over 25 years ago is still so memorable and continues to be meaningful to me. I’m so grateful to Marco for the positive impact he has had on my life.
Marco, my friend and mentor, always and forever on my mind…You were a great help and confident to me and to many young people at West High…Rest in Peace, my friend, you need it and deserve it! Until we meet again!