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Joe H Gonzales
06/02/1947 — 08/03/2011
From Richland, WA, US | Born in Worland, WY
Joe H Gonzales
Joe H Gonzales, called Joseph, Dad, Papa and Gonzo by those who knew and loved him, passed away early morning August 3rd, 2011 in Richland, Washington. He was born June 12th, 1947 in Worland, Wyoming to Joe and Juanita Gonzales. After his birth his family returned to Buena, Washington where he went to elementary school. He graduated from Toppenish High School in 1965, where he was a standout athlete playing football, basketball and baseball for the Wildcats, though he married into a Bomber legacy. Those sports allowed him to continue his education at Columbia Basin College, playing basketball and baseball. It was at CBC that he met and in 1968, married his wife, Susan. After moving to Seattle and attending the University of Washington, their first daughter Joni was born in 1970. He worked various jobs, out at Hanford, The Playboy Tavern, before he found his niche working at Twin Rivers Group Home, where he changed the lives of many young men. He had made many lifelong friends playing softball for the Playboy Tavern. In 1978 his second daughter Sara was born. He started golfing in the mid-70's which became his favorite sport. He loved watching his daughters grow up and play sports and spending time with his grandchildren. He always said they were the joy of his life and that he was so proud of all of them. When he wasn't with them, he was with his second family at Buckskin. He enjoyed telling all of the boys that he wasn't that good of a golfer, but he liked to play for money. He will be remembered for his wit and humor that always put people at ease. He was preceded in death by his father and mother Joe and Juanita Gonzales and his father-in-law Charles Ward.
He is survived by his wife Susan, his daughters Joni Gonzales Jefferey Perkins and Sara Lapeyre Jody, his grandchildren Michaela Gonzales, Jaaskela Perkins, Tyler Lapeyre and LJ Gonzales, his siblings Esther Abitia Ray, Adeline Sifuentes Ben, Manuel Gonzales Kerry, Rosemary Anderson Brian, Sue Gonzales, Robert Gonzales, Tina Solis Jesus, his mother-in-law Eileen Ward, sisters-in-law Sherri Johnson Kurt, Sandi Donahue and numerous nephews and nieces.
A memorial service will be held on Sunday, August 14, 2011 at 1:00pm at Memories at Sunset Event Center in Richland, WA.
Joe is missed so much.Every day at Buckskin,I was greated with his friendly smile and kindness. So sorry for your great loss. Willie Vance
I was sorry to hear that Joe had passed away. He was in my first grade class at Buena Elementary. Always happy and smiling – that is what I remeber most. We always had a good visit at the class reunions. He was very proud of his family. We will miss him.
A vey nice MAN and Golfer..Rick
Rest in peace old friend
You always brought a smile to my face.
God bless you and your family.
Mike Jones
class of 1965
Love to you and your family, Joe.
Your gift of observing life with wit and humor have given us so many sweet memories and especially remind us to enjoy each day to the fullest. Thank you!
I always loved Joe’s smile and wit around the softball field.Susan,I am praying for you and your family.I’m sure Joe knew the Lord and I will enjoy softball with him in Heaven some day. God Bless !
We are sorry for your loss. You are in our prayers
Russ & Jackie Schell
We had the pleasure of knowing Joe for many years golfing. He was always there to help and support you after a rough game. Lefties always stick together. Those we love don’t go away, They walk beside us every day, Unseen, unheard, but always near, Still loved, still missed and very dear.
So glad we had a chance to meet our twins. Good luck up there, Joe, and our love to Susan and your family. Sue and Joe in Mesquite
Lamento tu muerte cabron. Recuerdos de nuestra amistad bastan porque son fuerte y amigable. Walk in beauty!
You are gone too soon my friend! Our hearts and prayers are with the family. You have our deepest sympathy.
I am so sorry to hear about Joe’s passing. He was a good classmate. God Bless you all. Stevette Stevens Rehberg, Class of ’65
Ahhhhh Joseph. Whenever I think of you I see that big smile you always had on your face. Whenever I would see you at The Casa you would smile and say hey and tell me to tell “your bride” hello. You and SG had the greatest love story and were so lucky but you, my friend, are gone too soon. RIP Joe. Love you, Jimmy and Rita
To the family of a wonderful friend. Joe was always a great friend in my life starting with the 1st grade at Buena Elementary, shakes at my grandma Oliver’s Drive-In, and just being buddies growing up in Buena. My parents loved him too. Then on to JR high and High School where friendships continued and new ones grew. What an unforgettable guy. A friend, you always knew how you stood with him and he was always there for his friends and family.
He was too young to leave us yes young but sometimes that is out of our hands. His spirit will live on. We will miss our occassional and too short of visits.
Just so you know whenever we talked with Joe, he always told us about his wonderful family.
Our love and sympathy for your loss, Lynn Oliver & Tom Park
Susan, i was so sorry to get your e-mail and hear about Joe . . . he was always such a special guy and i have wonderful memories of him. I’m thinking about you and if possible i will try to make it to his memorial service.
i also didn’t know your dad had passed away
peggy
You will be missed my friend. You were one of my high school heroes. Thank you for helping others. Peace and comfort be with your family.
So glad I got to see Joe after many, many years at the class of 65 reunion last summer…it was old times again…good memories, laughs, good times…Joe was always a part of that…so sorry he left us so early!What a good man.
I was so looking forward to seeing him again. So sorry to the family.
Condolences and prayers to Joe’s’ family. He was a generous spirit and a heck of a nice guy. He was classy and smart. I’ll miss him.
As one of the Buckskin Tri-City Golf Bags, please accept my condolences. It was a true joy to have had the pleasure to have known you.
Sincerely,
Anne
Susan and family,
I would like to send my prayers to you and Joni, Sara and their families. Think about you guys quite often. Sorry to hear about Joe, Susan. I remember the times we had at work and the girls growing up with their dad being involved in all their sporting events. Remember the good times and keep them in your heart.
Take care, Linda and family
I only knew Joe for a short while but everytime I saw him at Buckskin there was a little jab. If he didn’t say something to put me down I felt bad. I obviously recipricated and jabbed him right back. I considered Joe a very good friend and I will miss him a lot. He always had a smile and he brightened up my day.
Susan and family, So sorry to hear about your loss. Joe, “Junior” to me was a special guy. From the time we first met in 1969 his sharp wit and smile brought a smile to my face. From golf, softball, basketball and Bomber sports he always had a line. Junior will always be remebered by many with fond memories.
Sue, We are so so sorry to hear about your loss. It is unbelievable that he is gone so young. Both Ray and I just saw him not too long ago by chance when he stopped in the Eureka and as always he was wearing that brilliant smile. He will be missed. All our love and prayers go out to you and your family. May Gods Love and Blessings see you through this difficult time.
So sorry to hear about Joe’s passing. We were both born in Toppenish and we played alot of softball together. We shared alot of golf at Sham-na-pum and the visits at Buckskin G.C. Ron
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Joe H Gonzales