|
Frank Gonzales Jr., beloved husband and devoted father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and brother went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, August 22, 2002, at home surrounded by his children and grandchildren. He was kind and generous to all he met and loved. We cherished him and were privileged to have cared for him during his illness. Frank was born in Blanco, NM on July 24, 1922 to Frank and Jacobita Gonzales. He was the second of eight children. He enlisted in the Navy and served his country proudly in World War II with the rank of M.M.M. First Class. He served aboard the USS Arcturus for three years and took part in many battles, including the famous D-day attack on Normandy. On a snowy day in December of 1944, he married Helen Archuleta while on leave from his ship. They were married for 58 beloved years. His work career included several interesting professions. Frank owned two Phillips 66 service stations and was an assistant manager at Western Auto. He also worked as a government contractor for Mission Research Corporation and his last job was at National Car Rental. The most important things in Frank's life were his family and his religion. He was an active member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, and enjoyed serving his church as a mayordomo for many years. He also enjoyed camping, fishing, playing cards, and tending to his garden. He had a unique sense of humor and enjoyed playing jokes on others. He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Jacobita; and his sister, Celia. He is survived by his wife, Helen; eight children, Crusita Padilla and husband, Manuel, Ray Gonzales and wife, Becky, Rita Gonzales, Elaine Ramirez and husband, Manuel, Charles Gonzales and wife Debbie, Donna Gonzales, Gary Gonzales and wife, Sandy, and Cindy and Tony Dibble; fifteen grandchildren, Richard Padilla and wife, Agnes, Lorraine Robertson and husband, John, Therese Padilla, Tami Howes and husband, David, Daniel Gonzales and wife, Lea, JoAnna Gonzales, Manuel Ramirez, Jr., Robert Ramirez and wife, Lisa, Angela Ramirez, Dominic Gonzales, Benjamin Gonzales, Sarah Gonzales, Nicholas and his mother, Sabina Basham, KC Flores and Jessica Jaramillo, and Kyle Dibble; six great-grandchildren, Alicia Ortega, James Flores, Isaac Ramirez, Lourdes Padilla, Danilo Padilla, and Hailey Howes; three brothers, Candido Gonzales and wife, Sally, Brother Donald Gonzales, and Martin Gonzales and wife, Ruth; and three sisters, Lucia Gonzales, Rebecca Gomez and husband, Gilbert, and Ramoncita Sanchez and husband, Joe and numerous nieces, nephews, and in-laws. One of his favorite greetings was"Do you want to shake the hand of the man who shook the world?" Anyone who knew him can appreciate this, and knew they had a friend for life. He will be dearly missed by all of us. May he rest in peace. A Rosary will be recited on Sunday evening at 8:30 p.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. Final viewing will be held on Monday morning from 8:30 a.m to 9:00 a.m. with Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 9:00 a.m. also at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. Burial will take place at the Santa Fe National Cemetery at 11:30 a.m. Pallbearers will be his grandsons, Richard Padilla, Manuel Ramirez, Jr., Daniel Gonzales, Robert Ramirez, KC Flores, Nicholas Basham, Kyle Dibble, Dominic Gonzales and Benjamin Gonzales. Honorary Pallbearers will be his great-grandsons, James Flores, Isaac Ramirez and Danilo Padilla. Services are in the care of Garcia Mortuary, 717 Stover Ave. S.W. 243-5222
|
