Joe K Gonzales

He graduated from Travis High School and then served 8 years in the Air Force. He had a successful career while working many years with Coca Cola and then 28 years with Centex Beverage where he eventually retired. He was an active member of St. Ignatius Church and the Knights of Columbus.

In the latter stages of his career in the Air Force, he married his best friend and love of his life Mary Sue Teneyuque. They were married for 63 years and had four children. He was a devoted husband and father and kept family his top priority.

Joe played the saxophone and was an amazing musician in his younger days. While in the Air Force he toured the South Pacific and played with the Mills Brothers. Also, he played with Glenn Miller, “Count” Basie, Duke Ellington and Doris Day. Later in life, he used his musical talent to mentor his daughter and grandchildren with their band activities.

Joe’s faith and family were his life. He was kind, generous and had a warm heart and always wanted to help anyone in need. He had a sense of humor and could never resist the opportunity to get a laugh by telling one of his corny jokes. He was a friend to everyone.

He was an excellent cook and got great satisfaction preparing an amazing meal for his family and friends – especially his Sunday morning brunches or his Saturday night burrito classics. He was second to none in these menu treats.

Joe loved watching his kids mature in life and instilled in them the work ethic that they live by today. He admired each of them for who they were and provided them the support to succeed in life. He took every opportunity to brag on them as they all made him so proud. He cherished the many years coaching his sons in baseball and attended countless baseball games as they got older. His grandchildren, though, brought him the most happiness and joy and were the apple of his eye. He took every opportunity to support them in all of their activities and endeavors. The Sunday afternoon BBQ / pool parties with his wife, children and grandchildren were special times for him.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents Manuel and Cleotilde Gonzales; brothers, Johnny Gonzales, Rudy Gonzales, Henry Mejia; sisters, Mary Alice Morales and Josie Andrade. Survivors included his wife Mary Sue Gonzales; sister, Lorene Davila; children, Ronald Steven Gonzales and wife Susie, David Joseph Gonzales and wife Bethany, Valerie Elaine Gibbons and husband William Gibbons, and Paul Andrew Gonzales and wife Sandra. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Brooks Gonzales, Emily Gonzales, Matthew Gonzales, Kendall Gonzales, Allison Gibbons, Jack Gibbons, Luke Gonzales and Elijah Gonzales.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 11, 2023 at Weed Corley Fish Funeral Home on South Congress from 5:00 – 8:00 pm with the recitation of the Holy Rosary at 7:00 pm. Funeral mass will be held at 10:00 am on Friday May 12, 2023 at St. Ignatius Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Assumption Cemetery.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.wcfishsouth.com for the Gonzales family.