David Anthony Gonzales

David Anthony (Speedy) Gonzales passed away on June 13, 2023, surrounded by his family. David was born to Francisco and Guadalupe Gonzalez in San Antonio, TX, the first of identical triplets, on August 3, 1950.

At a time when triplets were rare, David and his triplet brothers, Victor and John were the talk of the town when they were born. David grew up on Saunders Street on the near westside of San Antonio. As a young teenager, he met the girl of his dreams, Deanna Moreno, who he married on May 27, 1972. They just celebrated 51 years of marriage.

David attended Holy Cross High School where he graduated in 1970. He was very active in sports but had a passion for the United States Military after seeing his two older brothers in the Air Force. David enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1972 as a medical technician. After four years he decided to join the prestigious Basic Military Training Instructor Corps where he excelled earning his Master Military Training Instructor “Blue Rope”. If you enlisted in the Air Force during this time, you more than likely knew about Master Sergeant Gonzales. He guided thousands of Air Force enlistees through Basic Training and had some of the best stories of his experience. One of his most memorable was when he was chosen to help plan and coordinate the arrival and visit of President Ronald Reagan to Lackland Air Force Base. David served for 20 years and retired as a Master Sergeant in 1991.

David had a passion for training and coaching. After retiring from the United States Air Force, David spent the next 21 years teaching, molding, and training our future military leaders as a JROTC Instructor at John Jay High School. His attention to detail and love for military drill and ceremonies led his Drill Teams to multiple District Championships and 3 National Championships. David retired from John Jay and NISD in 2012.

Over the next 11 years David was a substitute instructor for NISD JROTC programs throughout the district as well as spent his weekend evenings in the fall guarding the Northwest gate at Gustafson Stadium. Due to his highly decorated JROTC career, he advised existing programs in NISD as well as helped start up drill teams for 5 JROTC programs including Sotomayor High School just this past school year. David’s passion for JROTC earned him an induction into the JROTC Hall of Fame in 2016. His influence on his JROTC students has resulted in many future military leaders with prestigious military careers.

David loved sports, camping, music, traveling, his dogs and most of all, his 13 grandchildren. He was so grateful to witness his beloved Dallas Cowboys win multiple Super Bowls, his Texas Longhorns win a National Championship, his Houston Astros win a World Series and his San Antonio Spurs win 5 NBA Championships. When he wasn’t watching sports, you could find him with Deanna camping at a Texas State Park enjoying the outdoors. He was always listening to music or humming a tune. Some of his favorites were what he called, the oldies, but goodies from the 60’s, Tejano, any song he could dance to at a wedding reception and his favorite country band, The Mavericks who he saw in concert just 2 years ago. He traveled all over the US and even went to France with Deanna and his oldest grandson, where he got to walk on Omaha Beach in Normandy. David always had a trusted dog by his side. He would train them so well and they were so loyal to him. But what David loved most was being called Tata by his 13 grandchildren. He always had one of them tagging along with him wherever he went.

David and Deanna were some of the founding members of St. Anthony Mary Claret Catholic Church. They helped it grow from a church under trees to one of the biggest and most beautiful Catholic Churches in San Antonio, where he witnessed some of his children being married and many grandchildren being baptized.

David was the life of every party and family get together. He was always the first one on the dance floor, dragging his entire family with him until he had a train of people a mile long! His contagious smile is what everyone will remember about him the most.

David is preceded in death by his parents, Francisco and Guadalupe Gonzalez.He is survived by his wife, Deanna Moreno Gonzales, his daughter, Jennifer Gonzales Morris and husband Shawn, his sons Daniel Gonzales and wife Jennifer, Adrian Gonzales and wife Marisa, Adam Gonzales and wife Bianca, grandchildren Justin and wife Skylar, Isabel, Lillian, Catalina, Allison, Eden, Elysia, Brandon, Enea, Evelyn, Enzley, Emmitt and Emerick. He is also survived by his sister Martha and husband Carlos, his brothers Frank and wife Brenda, Fernando and wife Chickie, Victor, John, as well as other in-laws, nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

Please click here to view the live stream of David's graveside service.