Joe Louis Gonzales, 67, of Waco, passed away Tuesday, January 25, 2022.
Visitation: one hour prior to the Memorial Service.
Memorial Service: 3PM Friday, February 25, 2022 at Lake Shore Funeral Home. The service will include a short memorial narration and video presentation. Click Here to View the Live Stream of the Service. After the service, all are invited for fellowship at Case de Castillo Restaurant, 4820 Sanger Avenue, Waco, Texas 76710. for fellowship.
Burial with Military Honors: 9:30 a.m. Friday, March 11, 2022 at DFW National Cemetery, 2000 Mountain Creek Parkway, Dallas Texas 75211.
Joe was first born to Carlos Reyes Gonzales of Asherton, Texas and Pauline Cantu Gonzales from Carrizo Springs, Texas.
Joe was a 1973 graduate of University High School in Waco, Texas and attended McLennan Community College. He enlisted into United States Air Force in February 1974 and attended Air Force Basic Training at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. Upon completion of basic training, he transferred to Keesler AFB, MS to attend Technical School where he became an Air Traffic Controller. He was FAA certified as an Air Traffic Control Tower Controller and Ground Control Approach Radar Operator. He served as a Controller for 20.8 years and retired in October 1994.
Joe retired as a (E7) Master Sergeant from the U.S. Air Force and then went to work for the U.S. Postal Service in Shreveport, LA. Joe faithfully served in the Postal Service as a mail carrier for 22 years and chose to retire in April of 2017.
Joe was preceded in death by his father, Carlos Reyes Gonzales; and a younger sister, Patricia Gonzales.
Surviving Family include his wife: Rogelyn Gonzales and adopted daughter Britney; mother, Pauline Cantu Gonzales; daughter, Dana Gonzales and grandson, Jeric Smith; son, Joe Gonzales, Jr. (Tania) and grandsons, Nathan and Justin; son, Louie Gonzales; sisters, Priscilla Stinnett (Phil), Melisandra (Bambi) Garner (Keith), and Cynthia Jaramillo (Ricardo); brothers, James Gonzales (Lynne), Carlos Gonzales (Silvia), Roger Gonzales (Maricel), Patrick Gonzales (Gloria), and Michael Gonzales; and a large host of nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles.
Place of Service: Lake Shore Funeral Home Chapel , 5201 Steinbeck Bend; Waco, TX 76708
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I pray that the Gonzales family is comforted and encouraged.
Debbie, thank you. God’s Peace and Anointing was Present in yesterday’s service. Such a Gift! Love You!
I met Joe while working together at Huntington Post Office in Shreveport 1996. We became close friends over the years and Joe had my back many times. I miss my friend dearly. He was one of a kind. My prayers go out to his family for the loss of a good man. I love you my friend and one day we’ll meet again.
There are no words to express the sorrow of losing someone dear to you . Please accept our heartfelt sympathy. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families during this difficult time🙏🏻
Judith, thank you! I was so happy when I saw Louie walk in. What a delight he is. It’s been so long since I have seen him. I love you my forever Sister.
Thank you Priscilla❤️ Louis loved his father very much and cherished every moment they spent together. They had an Unbreakable bond . Joe always loved to see people happy . I love you too Sister:)
Joe my brother in law here in philippines is one of a kind person. No comparison because he made everything easy to his wife and daughter for their happiness. I will surely miss you bro…Thank you and rest in paradise.
Hi to all.
We part of the Filipino connection.
I’m Ken (A KIWI, New Zealander) and Rosalina is my wife. We currently living in NZ.
Rosalina is Joe’s Mother in Law and mother of Joe’s wife Rogelyn.
It was very sad for both of us in hearing of Joe’s passing.
I enjoyed Joe’s company and over a few beers he became a great Storyteller. I could relate to where he came from as I travelled through Shreveport and Waco while on a trip to the States a few years ago.
We regularly kept in touch on Messenger, usually every week up until he passed away and occasionally we Video chatted.
I always include him in our weekly videos of Rosalina and I travelling around NZ in our RV. He usually made a comment but sadly often he commented on his situation.
His comments were always how he missed Rogelyn, Britney and the Apple of his eye, PJ.
Sadly he was so trapped , trapped with his health , trapped that he couldn’t get back to be with his loved ones because of the Covid travel restrictions. Yes very, very sad to be trapped like that.
I got to know Joe as person who was deeply devoted to his family, a person who could only say good about anything and everyone, a soft person. I enjoyed his company and always looked forward to our family gatherings to see him. As a family we went Island hopping, as a family we went to other islands together and as a family we just hung out, hung with him at his home and ours. I enjoyed his company.
Cheers Ken and Rosalina.
Ken, thank you for your kind remarks and memories of Joe. He was the oldest of us siblings. My big brother. I so love your comments about Joe’s devotion to family. He was indeed “a soft person”. He had the sweetest and most gentle spirit of us all. That is what I will remember and the treasure most until I see him again in heaven.
I know this is a great loss to his “Filipino connection(s)”. I am deeply sorry. I pray that God’s manifest Presence surround his family there as He has here.
Thank you again…
To my brother in law,
Joe, you were a great man. You always had a smile on your face every time I saw you. It has been many many many years since we last saw each other. I will always remember the memories. You will be missed Joe and words are not enough to express my sadness. Always in our hearts forever.
Love Ej
Goodbye is not a sign for me of departing from your life forever, instead it’s a silent message of saying that you’ll be dearly missed. Thank you for your love and all the ways you support me. I’m the luckiest to have your love in my life. You’ll be forever in my heart.
Very well put Rose. I know how much he loved you and Brit, and that little grandson that he talked about since he was back here in the States. He kept saying how he missed ya’ll and wanted to get back over there to you. I have a few pictures in my phone from when he stayed with me in 2020. I’d be glad to send them to you if you want to email me at toddmercer247@gmail.com. I would guess these are the last pictures of him since he wasn’t real big on having his picture taken. I’ll be glad to share them with you and Brit. My love to you both….. Todd
Condolences to Joe’s family. Many of my best younger memories are of Joe and his friendship when we were stationed together in the Philippines. Will miss you Gonzo.
Too well loved & respected to ever be forgotten Joe Louis Gonzales! 😢💔
Sending our deepest and most heartfelt condolences to the family for their tragic loss. Deepest sympathy, prayers, and love being sent to you all!
REST IN ETERNAL PEACE JOE. 🕊️🤍
WE LOVE YOU.
Hi dad, until now It really hurts knowing the fact that you’re not here anymore. I can’t even help myself from grasping to your death, it shatters me to pieces. I keep thinking about you, Dad, even though it hurts. I’d give anything to relive those memories again.
Dad, I’m so thankful for all the memories we shared together. I only wish you were here to make more. You will always be my king, my ideal source of happiness, and the man who loved me regardless of all my flaws. I love you, now and forever.
I wish I still had your wisdom to guide me through my everyday life.
You will always be missed.
Amen to that Brit
May you perpetual light shine upon your soul and May you rest in peace .i know you’re always there .in our heart. watching over and guide us we miss you so much Joe.
One of the most memorable part of my childhood was seeing my cousin, Britney being showered with love from Uncle Joe. He always had a smile on his face and has one of the most generous people I know. I remember him treating Britney and us, her cousins like princesses. Thank you for being a great part of my childhood memories.
Sending hugs to the entire family.
May you rest in Paradise, Uncle Joe. 🤍
*was one of the most
I so wish I could have been there with the family to celebrate you Uncle Joe. I will always remember your joyous spirit and welcoming personality. I could always count on a good laugh when you were around. To Dana, Joe, and Louis and all of my Aunts and Uncles, I love you all and pray God’s comfort for each of you. I hope to see you all soon!
God bless your soul with eternal peace.
Thank you.
Jeanette