- Date Of Death: January 7, 2020
- State: New Mexico
George Lee Gonzales, loving father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away Tuesday, January 7, 2020 at age 90.
He was born May 8, 1929, in Wagon Mound, New Mexico, and attended Santa Fe High School, graduating with the class of 1948. He dedicated the next 21 years of his life to military service; serving 9 years in the Marines, followed by 12 years in the Air Force. George was awarded a Purple Heart Medal for wounds received in the Korean War. While serving in the military, he also married his beloved wife, Julia, and started a family of two sons and one daughter. After retiring from the Air Force in 1969, as a Senior Master Sergeant, George and his family settled in Albuquerque. Starting a second career at Valley High School, he helped establish the Air Force JROTC program. He was as dedicated to his new career, as he was to his country. George served as educator, mentor and advisor; inspiring his students to achieve success and pursue further education. After 22 years with Valley, “Sarge” Gonzales as he was so well known, retired in 1991.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Lee and Josephine. George is survived by his wife of 67 years, Julia; brother, Eloy (Stella); children, Edwin (Kenda), Javier (Laurene) and Sandra; grandchildren, Bryant (Elyse), Karlene (Nicolas), Bretton (Sarah); and great-granddaughters, Blake, Kora, Emrie and Hayden. He will be sincerely missed by all who knew him.
Rosary will be recited Monday, January 13, 2020, 10:00 a.m.
