Reverend Manuel Gonzales

Manuel Gonzales, age 97, of Fresno California passed away on Thursday, February 5, 2026. He was born in Guadalupita, New Mexico to his parents, Teofilo Gonzales and Amalia Chavez, on September 21, 1928, as one of their 11 children. In his early life he would have to haul water with family about a ½ a mile, which was used for everything, including taking baths three kids at a time “…because it was too hard to always be hauling water.” To stay warm, they would have to cut wood to burn for heat. The family had a farm and grew their own food. When they needed to go to town, they would travel by horse and carriage to get supplies and go to church. Manuel grew up working on the farm and at the sawmill that his father owned. While working at the sawmill, he learned to drive and operate the truck to haul lumber. One of his siblings recalls “…my father owned a saw mill his whole life and my mom stayed home and did everything…sewing, cooking, patching clothes and canning…She would wash [our clothes] in the river.”

As time went by, he met and married Isabel Guara. Over the years they lived in New Mexico and later moved to California, all the while having three children: Bonnie, Yvonne and Tommy during their time together. Over time he held different jobs, but predominately he was an industrial welder for about 35 years. After he retired, Manuel recounted “I never worked so hard in my life, until I retired.” He always stayed busy doing something, including having what he termed “my route” hauling 2 tons of cardboard a day, a few days a week while living alone in Bakersfield, CA at 85+ years of age.

During the later part of his life, he became an ordained minister and added Reverend to his name. He had to endure his share of troubles and health issues, but during all of this he always held on to his love for the Lord and never stopped loving and caring for his family. Admittedly he said, “I made a lot of mistakes…” and was truly thankful and blessed to have his kids in his life. Although he and Isabel separated earlier in life and moved on to other relationships, things would come full circle in their later years as from time to time they would speak, extending friendship and caring for one another.

At 91 years of age, he finally decided it was time for him to move in with his daughter and son-in-law, Yvonne and Don Ernst, in Fresno CA where he remained for the rest of his days. He held on to the love of his family and of God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit to the very end. In his final days, Manuel did not speak many words, but what he did say would come from the abundance of his heart full of meaning and life.

On the morning of February 4, 2026, Don went to check on Manuel and found him lying on his side in a moment of prayer saying short but profound sentences. First, he said “This is the day the Lord has made.” After a moment, he gave praise saying, “You’re a great, big, beautiful God”, and a few seconds later, “Thank you Holy Spirit”. Finally, he said to God “Thank you for one more day of life.” That evening while Yvonne was giving him medicine, he told her “You’re a good kid”, which was his way for communicating how much he loved and appreciated all that his kids were doing to care for him. So, we hold on to this knowing that when he last said, “You’re a good kid” he was telling us “I love you very much.”

His passing is full of joy and sorrow, in that to be absent we miss him, but also celebrate that Manuel is in a better place with no more suffering, in the presence of Jesus. As Don and Yvonne said their final goodbyes, a Godwink was upon them with the reassurance Manuel was going “Home” as the song began playing on the radio “I'm goin' home. Where the streets are golden, every chain is broken. Oh, I wanna go. Home. Where every fear is gone, I'm in your open arms. Where I belong…”

Manuel is survived by

Children: Bonnie Gonzales, Yvonne Ernst and Tommy Gonzales

Grandchildren: Elizabeth Gonzales and Eddie Gloria

Great Grandchildren: Mackenzie Gloria

Fur baby: Billy

Final Resting place:

Garden of Guadalupe at Fresno Memorial Gardens in Fresno, CA