Rene David Gonzalez, 83, of Cropwell, AL passed away Sunday, May 20, 2018. He was born in Puerto Castilla, Honduras, June 19, 1934, the first born son of Joseph and Marina Gonzalez.
Rene move to the United States at the age of 12, alone, for an American education, married his college sweetheart and remained in the US where he proudly became a US citizen. He attended Northfield Mount Hermon School formerly known as Mount Hermon School for Boys, a boarding school in Mt Herman, Massachusetts. He finished High school in Poplarville, MS in 1952. He graduated from The University of Southern Mississippi with a degree in Journalism in 1956 where he was the editor of The University newspaper, The Student Printz, and became a loyal Golden Eagle fan, member of the Eagle Club, and Alumni Association.
In his early career he was on staff with newspapers in Alexandria, LA, Bristol, VA, Cedartown, GA, Louisville, MS, Picayune, MS, and the Columbian Progress in Columbia, MS. He later became the Director of Columbia’s Self Help Housing Corp, followed by The Director of Mississippi’s Mental Health Association. Additionally, Rene was the owner of Papa G’s Fat Boys Restaurant in Columbia. He also enjoyed a career in Sales before retiring, and most recently, in his retirement, as a substitute teacher in the Pell City, AL School System.
Rene was an active member of Church of the Highlands at the Greystone Campus, Birmingham, AL. He was formerly a member of The Marion County Chamber of Commerce and Jaycees, a leadership training and civic organization, on the local, State and National levels. He was a Lifetime Dusty and Phi Kappa Parent in Columbia, MS which is where he acquired his nickname, Papa G.
Rene was always the life of the party. He loved life and people. He never met a stranger. He lived a life of service, always wanting to help others. He was a very proud and patriotic first generation American.
He is survived by four children, Marina Sanders (George) Montgomery, AL, Anna Rose (Billy) Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ, Michael Gonzalez (Belinda) Southaven, MS, Joseph Gregory Gonzalez (Shelly) Jasper, TX, ten grandchildren, Mathew Sanders (Katie), Channing Gonzalez, Isaiah Gonzalez, Chase Gonzalez, Billy Rose, Ryan Rose, Isabella Gonzalez, Ashley Rose, Savannah Gonzalez and Jonas Gonzalez, His brother George (Carole) and three nieces Deborah Gonzalez, Patty Miller and Michelle Moody.
Visitation and a Celebration of Life will be held Friday, May 25 @ the Kilgroe Funeral Home in Pell City, Alabama
Visitation: 4 - 5:30 Celebration of Life 5:45 - 7
Followed by a grave side service and Christian burial @ Woodlawn Cemetery in Columbia, Mississippi at 1 pm Saturday, May 26
In lieu of flowers, contributions to one of the following causes which Rene had personal connections with would be greatly appreciated.
The Hand in Paw Animal Assisted Therapy
617 38th Street South
Birmingham, AL 35222
Or online @ www.handinpaw.org
Please specify your donation is In memory of Rene Gonzalez
The Rosemary Massey Gonzalez "I Believe" Scholarship Fund
*In the memo line write: Gonzalez Endowment #3069 (In memory of Rene Gonzalez)
Mail to: USM ATHLETIC FOUNDATION
PO Box 15458
Hattiesburg, MS 39404
Or call 601-266-5034
100% of your donation is tax deductible
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