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GONZALES -- Meliton M. Gonzales, 86, a resident of Albuquerque, passed on Sunday, January 4, 2009. He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Anna Agnes Gonzales; two sisters, Angela Lawrence of Los Lunas and Zella Alderete of Socorro; nieces and nephews, Tony Gonzales and wife, Margaret of Indio, CA, Rey Perkins and wife, Trish of Arlington, TX, Jeanie Dean and husband, Herman of Tijeras Canyon, NM, Cindy Easley of Yelman, WA, Robert Lawrence of Albuquerque, Lorella Chavez and husband, Bill of Lemitar, Rocco Alderete of Arlington, TX, Mela Straley and husband, Dale of Socorro, Joel Alderete of Los Chavez, and Joella Livesey and husband, Drew of Portland, OR, Pauline J. Garcia of Albuquerque, Margaret Ann Garcia of Albuquerque, Anthony and wife, Lisa Garcia of Santa Monica, CA, Leta Mae and husband, Bill Bishell of California, Anthony Chavez of Phoenix, AZ, Michael and wife, Premie Chavez of Albuquerque, and Sara Hammond of Albuquerque; and many other great-nieces and great-nephews. Meliton was a great blessing to all he touched and a very special uncle who played an extremely important part in the lives of his nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Captain Reynaldo Gonzalez, killed during the Bataan Death March, and Private Jose Antonio Gonzales (Tony), killed during the Invasion of Normandy; sister, Mela Perkins; and nephew, Evans Albert Garcia. Meliton was born on February 16, 1922 in Lemitar, to Antonio E. and Rufina V. Gonzales. He attended elementary school in Lemitar and graduated from Socorro High School. He enlisted in the Army and was stationed first in Africa, then in the South Pacific. While in the South Pacific, notification of the death of his brother, Tony Gonzales, arrived and after the request of his parents to the War Department was granted, he returned home; the only surviving son. Meliton received both his Bachelor and Master degrees from the University of New Mexico. He was a teacher who touched many young lives at APS for over 30 years, retiring as Vice Principal of Valley High School. Rosary will be recited Wednesday, January 7, 2009, 7:00 p.m., at French Mortuary, University Blvd. Chapel, with visitation one hour prior to Rosary. Mass will be celebrated for Meliton Thursday, January 8, 2009, 9:30 a.m., at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 619 Copper NW. Interment will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery. Please visit our online guestbook for Meliton at RememberTheirStory.com. French 1111 University Blvd. NE (505) 843-6333
        Published on: Thu January 08, 2009