Santos R. Gonzalez, a Falfurrias Native and World War II Veteran, passed away on Friday, June 14, 2019 at his home in McAllen, Texas. He was born on February 15, 1926 to Miguel and Olivia Gonzalez in Falfurrias, Texas.
Santos was a football running back and a baseball player for the Falfurrias Jerseys during his high school years from 1941 to 1943. He was well known as “Lefty Gonzalez”. In 1944, Santos enlisted in the United States Navy and served as a gunner on the USS Shamrock Bay, which was deployed on the Pacific Theater during WWII. His record of foreign service included Africa, South Pacific, Philippines, Luzon, Iwo Jima, Okinawa and Tokyo. He received an Honorable Discharge on February 4, 1946.
In 1948 Santos married the love of his life, Marina Neva Gonzalez of Premont, Texas and they resided in Falfurrias and then Alice, Texas where he worked for Schlumberger for over 32 years and then with Fesco for 10 years until his retirement. After his retirement, the family moved to McAllen, Texas.
Santos is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Marina Gonzalez; sister, Aida Gonzalez; brother, Beto Gonzalez and his stepmother, Tomasa Gonzalez.
He leaves behind to cherish his memories his five children, Martha (Oscar) Castillo, Carlos (Evelyn) Gonzalez, Santos O. (Maritza) Gonzalez, Felipe (Cynthia) Gonzalez and Richard Gonzalez; sisters, Idalia Zuniga, Odilia Ramirez and Sylvia Gonzalez; brothers, Mike Gonzalez and Eloy Gonzalez; 14 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren and several first cousins, nieces and nephews.
Rosary will be prayed at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, June 17, 2019 at the Funeraria Del Angel Howard Williams in Falfurrias with visitation beginning at 5:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 18, 2019 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Falfurrias. Burial will follow at the Premont Cemetery with Military Honors.
