David Reyes Gonzalez

On December 17th, 2014, at 12:10pm PST, David Reyes Gonzalez was called home to be with his savior Jesus Christ. David was born into humble beginnings on June 1, 1948 in Oriente, Cuba to Epifanio and Loida Gonzalez as the fifth of six children. At only 13 years old, David and his brother, Gonzalo, immigrated to the United States in 1962 ahead of his parents and was followed by his younger brother and father several months later. Over the next few years, the remaining family followed, making their home in Northern Colorado. Established in Greeley, Colorado, David pursued a love of education by attaining a Bachelor’s Degree in Spanish from the University of Northern Colorado (UNC) in 1971, followed by a Master’s Degree in Adult Education from UNC in 1976. After graduation, David taught at Aims Community College. When he was not teaching, he followed his other passion … music. Through this passion, he met the love of his life, Donna L. Gonzalez in Greeley. They built a family on the foundation of faith, love and kindness.

David and Donna were married on June 12, 1988 in Yorba Linda, California. Over the past twenty seven years, they forged strong family ties, making their home first in Southern and later Northern California. Through it all, their faith in the Lord was central to raising their family. David has been an active member in several churches throughout the Sacramento area including Gateway Christian Life Church and most recently Bayside Church of Granite Bay.

David’s faith was the cornerstone of his life. He shared that faith through actions and teaching others everywhere he went. He was not only a servant of Christ, but was a servant to his family. There was nothing that David could not do, and he relished the thought of being able to teach anyone, especially his children and grandchildren, how to fix just about anything.

When David wasn’t playing the role of MacGyver, or jumping out of a “perfectly good airplane,” he could be found walking or riding the trails in Roseville. Some of his favorite past-times included riding his bicycle with his family, spending HOURS at his favorite store, Costco, and connecting with his grandchildren and great grandchild. David loved to read on a variety of topics, play cribbage, and passionately research homeopathic approaches to healthcare.

David is survived by his loving wife, Donna; his mother, Loida; six children, David, Camille, Angelina, Monica, Andrew and John; twelve grandchildren, Ryan, Elea, Kayla, Brenden, Jonathan, Tyler, Micah, Hannah, Hunter, Aiden, Isabella, and Ahna Rey; a great grandchild, Kalia; and his five siblings, Ana Ines, Eunice, Nancy, Gonzalo, and Mark Ezekiel. He is preceded in death by his father, Epifanio, and his granddaughter, Hayden.

David is leaving a rich legacy for his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren; one of hard work, personal responsibility, honoring and caring for your body, appreciation for education, learning new things and trust in the Lord. No matter his family’s pursuits in life, he was always supportive and encouraging, and instilled that no matter what, “I can do all things, through Christ who strengthens me” (Phillipians 4:13).