Gilbert J Gonzales

It is with immense sorrow and broken hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Gilbert J Gonzales. Gilbert began his journey with our Heavenly Father on March 13, 2024, at the age of 88. He passed away peacefully at home with his family by his side after a long-extended illness. He treasured his family and embraced every minute with them. He was a very loving, thoughtful, unselfish, and caring person with a generous heart and a wonderful sense of humor. He will be dearly missed and forever in our hearts.

Gilbert was born on September 11, 1935, to Stella and Antonio Gonzales in Jacona, NM. He was the oldest son of nine children. After graduating from high school, Gilbert married the love of his life, Reynalda Lujan Gonzales.  Gilbert worked in California early in his adulthood and then returned to the Land of Enchantment to build his home in Jaconita, NM.   Gilbert worked for the Los Alamos National Laboratory  (LANL) and became a skilled machinist for MP-8. He was called on to make technical parts for many of the high-level projects at the lab. Gilbert retired from LANL after 27 years of service and started a new chapter in his life. He enjoyed being a cowboy, owning cattle, going on roundups at the Mesa, and hunting with his son-in-law and friend, George Ortiz. Gilbert also spent time traveling with his wife and family to many wonderful locations and thoroughly enjoyed going on outings to the casinos. 

He is preceded in death by his parents Antonio and Stella Gonzales, his beloved grandson Gilbert Lopez, and sisters Precilla Duran and Amelia Salazar and other family members.

He is survived by his devoted wife of 68 years, Reynalda Gonzales, his loving children, Pearl Ortiz (George), Renee Lopez (Robert), Darlene Sanchez (Michael), Andrew Gonzales (Denice); grandchildren, Rebecca Ortiz, Stephanie Arrietta (Santo),  Amanda Montaño (Mark), Christina Ortiz; Ronnie Lopez (Melissa), Bobby Lopez (Tammy), Paul Sanchez (Kate), Patrick Sanchez; Andrew James Gonzales, Aundria Gonzales, and Elysia Gonzales. He is also survived by great grandchildren, Isaiah Gomez, Joseph Thompson, Selena Montaño, Christopher Montaño, Ezekiel Montaño, Jordyn Montaño; Jeremiah Ortega; Storm Lopez, Shondalee Perez,   Gilbert Lopez, Robbie Lopez; Reid Sanchez; Ava Grace Montoya, and Alaia Rae Gonzales.  

Gilbert is also fondly remembered by best friend and brother-in-law, Joe (Trankie) Roybal, and many other family members including siblings, Donna McDonald, Tony Gonzales (Diana), Fabiola Martinez, Charolette Duran, Susan Herrera, and Michael Duran (Donna).

The rosary and mass will be at Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe Catholic Church in Pojoaque on Monday, March 25, 2024. The Rosary will be at 9:00 am followed by the mass at 10:00am.

Serving as pallbearers are Bobby Lopez, Patrick Sanchez, Andrew James Gonzales, Elysia Gonzales,  Christopher Montaño, and Isaiah Gomez. Honorary pallbearers are great grandsons, Jeremiah Ortega, Joseph Thompson, and Ezekiel Montaño. 

Gilbert’s oldest granddaughter, Rebecca Ortiz, spent countless hours most days with her grandpa. They had a very special bond and the time spent enjoying each other’s company was priceless.

Special thanks to Pearl and George Ortiz for their many years of loving care to Gilbert, also to Renee and Robert Lopez, Andrew and Denice Gonzales, Darlene and Michael Sanchez,   and other family members who affectionately provided help.  Also, a very special and heartfelt thanks to Aundria Gonzales, lead nurse, who provided exceptional nursing care to her grandpa. The family is grateful to have another granddaughter, Amanda Montaño who provided nursing care to her grandpa in times of need. The family also wishes to acknowledge the Giving Home Health staff, including Stephanie Arrieta, granddaughter,  who provided exceptional and compassionate care for her grandpa.
 

Funeral arrangements provided by DeVargas Funeral Home. To share a memory, please visit the website at www.devargasfuneral.com