Frank Mendez Gonzales

FRANK M. GONZALES “F.G.”- Passed away in his home on Sunday October 14, 2018 at the age of 87 years young. Frank will forever be remembered as father, grandfather, great-grandfather, self-employed business owner, entrepreneur and retired U.S. Army Veteran.

Frank was born in San Diego CA, March 29, 1931 to Maria Luisa Mendez Gonzales and Francisco Gonzales. Frank was the youngest of 7 children, brother to Manuel Gonzales, Louie Gonzales, Daniel Gonzales, Mary Soto, Susan Lang, and Margaret Gonzales.

At a young age Frank moved to Oxnard with his Mother to live with his Sister Mary and husband Ruben Soto. Frank was a student at Oxnard High School where shortly after joined the National Guard, then the US Army and sent to fight for his country in Korea as an artillery operator.

After serving in the Army, Frank returned to Oxnard and married his wife of 40 years, Margaret Varela and secured a job at Point Mugu and Oxnard Air Force Base as a painter. He then decided to start his own landscape business, serving the government at Port Hueneme Naval Base, Point Mugu AFB, Long Beach Naval Shipyard and Vandenburg AFB which provided over 75 employees with jobs. Frank was very passionate about being a small business owner and being helpful to his family and friends thru employment.

Frank was known throughout the community and local business owners through his participation in providing maintenance services to many local companies such as Northrop Ventura, 3M Company, Basso Distributing Camarillo, Twin Centers Mall and City of Oxnard. Frank spoke with pride of his company and employees for their job completed in the 1980s and one of their major successes, where his company installed the crib wall surrounding the Titan Missile launch pad as holding well while the Titan launched into the sky from Vandenburg AFB.

Frank also shared his life with Josefina Garcia Gonzales, his partner for many years. Together they enjoyed spending time with family, their God-daughter and their rescued dog, FiFi.

Frank was a golf enthusiast, loved music, singing and was a member of his church choir at Saint Anthony’s Catholic Church in Oxnard in the 1960s-70s. He was most happy when he was spending time with his brothers, friends and family, playing pool and enjoying a nice glass of wine.

Frank is survived by; his brother, Daniel Gonzales – San Diego CA, children; Cecilia A. Gonzales - Oxnard, Arthur Gonzales - Oxnard, Richard Gonzales - Oahu Hawaii, Andrew Gonzales – Oxnard, grandchildren; Larry Castaneda and wife Korina, Marissa Zaragoza, Jennifer Gonzales, Christina Gonzales, Susan Gonzales, Samantha Gonzales and eleven great grandchildren.

Despite some of life’s struggles, Frank loved people, life itself, always had a smile on his face, a light-hearted happy demeanor and enjoyed helping those in need. He will be greatly missed.

Rest in Peace Dad. Soar with the eagles and sing with the angels, we love you!