Gonzales, Paul

Paul Gonzales

Services: Have been held.

Paul Gonzales, 70, of Fort Sumner, died Thursday, Jan. 27, 2005, at the Heart Hospital of Albuquerque.

He was born on Feb. 28, 1934, in Los Ojitos, to Elias Nicolas and Petra Valdez Gonzales. He was raised at Los Ojitos and Fort Sumner. He graduated from Fort Sumner High School in 1954. While in high school, he was active in all sports. He was named homecoming football king in the 1953-54 school year. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy on Aug. 4, 1954, and served until his honorable discharge on July 23, 1958. He remained in the U.S. Navy Reserves until Aug. 3, 1962. Following his military discharge, he attended the University of New Mexico before returning to Fort Sumner. He was employed for 25 years with the Village of Fort Sumner in the water and waste Water department, retiring in 1997.

He was a member of the Church on the Hill in Fort Sumner. He traveled across the country showing dogs for many years. Family members said he enjoyed fishing and hunting and was an excellent cook.

Gonzales was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Bill, Johnny and Lee Gonzales; and one sister, Alice Keever.

Survivors include his wife, Reina Gonzales; three daughters, Renee Gonzales, Betty Terrell (and husband, Richard) and Kelley Gallegos (Louie), all of Fort Sumner; a brother, Ben Gonzales of Fort Sumner; three sisters, Mary Parker, Cecilia Luttrall (David) and Rosella Hunter (Don), all of Amarillo; eight grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and many other family members and friends.

Sister Anna Teeter will officiate the services.

Burial will be at Fort Sumner Cemetery with military honors.

Pallbearers are Manuel Lucero, Bobby Williamson, Buddy Hall, Johnny Gallegos, Louie Gallegos, Frank Martz, and Mike Cantrell.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Fox/Vixen Athletics, c/o Fort Sumner Schools, P.O. Box 387; Fort Sumner, NM 88119.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.

Arrangements are by Chavez Funeral Home of Fort Sumner.