Jesus Angel Gonzales

Jesus Angel Gonzales died peacefully at his home in Ontario, California on Wednesday August 17th at 10:43 p.m. at the age of 79. He was surrounded by his two daughters and grandson. “Chumy” as he was affectionately known by, was born in Smeltertown, Texas on March 9, 1943, to Jesus and Maria Gonzales. He was the youngest of five surviving siblings.

Jesus was a leader, patriot, veteran, and God-fearing man. He was a devout Catholic, beloved husband, and loving father, grandfather, and friend. Jesus’ life was full of great memories and life-changing adventures.

After graduating from El Paso Technical High School, Jesus enlisted in the United States Air Force and served his country dutifully for eight years as a flight engineer. During the years of 1962-1970, Jesus was taken on the journey of a lifetime, traveling all around the world and meeting fellow airmen who would share the journeys with him. Jesus was stationed at Spangdahlem Air Base in Spangdahlem, Germany for four years. He served in the Vietnam War, seeing military action in PleiKu as well as unarmed missions in Thailand that earned him the Distinguished Flying Cross, one of the highest honors awarded in the USAF, given to those who display heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight. Jesus was awarded the USAF Air Medal with three bronze oak leaf clusters for completing 162 combat missions. He was also awarded Air Force Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Air Force Longevity Service Award and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

Despite these great achievements while serving the country that he loved, Jesus’s greatest reward from God came from a small town in Wittlich Germany. On a cold February night at a dance hall in the forest, Jesus would meet his future bride, Ingrid as he would affectionately call her “Ingy” and “Bee”. Without Jesus knowing German and Ingrid not knowing English, a simple twirl of his finger convinced Ingrid to dance with him and the rest would be history. Meeting Ingrid would change his life forever. He married her on October 12, 1965, and they remained husband and wife for fifty-four years. In addition to Caroline, they had four children: David, Maria, Yolanda and Daniel. They settled in Rowland Heights, California for thirty-one years. Some of his most cherished memories with his family, friends and neighbors would be made there before moving to Ontario California. After his discharge for the USAF, Jesus worked for Pacific Bell Telephone Company for twenty-nine years.

After spending his whole life serving and working, Jesus and Ingrid took many opportunities to travel the world and enjoy the beauty of God’s creation with each other and family. They would travel back to Germany to visit her family, the United States, Mexico, Europe, and other countries. They were blessed with nine grandchildren that were the joys of their life who they truly loved dearly.

Jesus would spend the rest of his days doing what he loved best; golfing, serving at his church and spending time with his family and the love of his life until she was called home to be with the Lord on March 22, 2020.

Those left to cherish his memory include his three daughters Caroline, Maria, and Yolanda; his son Daniel; his nine grandchildren Noah, Marisa, Ysabela, Ashley, Jonah, Dominic, London, Madeline and Andrew; his sister Emma; and countless family members and friends.

Family, friends, and others whose lives Jesus touched are invited to the Rosary on Tuesday, September 6, 2022, at Draper Mortuary 811 N Mountain Ave, Ontario, California from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. The funeral will be held on Wednesday, September 7, 2022, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church 2713 S Grove Ave, Ontario, California at 11:30 a.m. followed by the burial at Riverside National Cemetery 22495 Van Buren Blvd. Riverside, California at 1:30 p.m. Luncheon to follow immediately at American Legion Post 79 2979 Dexter Drive, Riverside California from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.