GEORGE WEST – Ernesto Gonzales, Jr., 77, passed away on March 16, 2023, in Beeville, Texas. He was born on October 18, 1945, in George West, Texas. He married Virginia Hernandez on March 26, 1966. He was a Vietnam Veteran, and three purple heart recipient, of the U.S. Army. He served his country proudly. He had also worked in the oilfield industry.

     He is preceded in death by his wife, Virginia Gonzales, who passed away on May 26, 2010; parents, Ernesto, and Dominga Gonzales; two sisters, Senaida Saldiva, and Carmen Casas and one brother, Juan Gonzales, Sr.

     He is survived by five daughters, Olga (Nicholas) Martinez of Freer, Rose Sanchez of George West, Debra (Thomas) Zapata of Beeville, Brenda (Erasmo) Zapata of George West and Kelly (Lamont) Crosby of San Antonio; one brother, Ricardo Gonzales of Beeville; three sisters, Norma (Arturo) Banda of Houston, Rosalinda Vasquez of George West, and Juanita Morales of Beeville. He is also survived by 14 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

     A visitation will be held from 3-8 pm on Tuesday, March 21, at Oak Park Memorial Funeral Chapel in Beeville. A rosary will be recited at 7 pm. A funeral mass will be celebrated at 10 am on Wednesday, March 22, at St. George Catholic Church in George West, Texas with Fr. Romeo Salinas as celebrant. Interment with full military honors will follow at the George West Cemetery.

     Serving as pallbearers are Richard Lee Gonzales, Carlos Saldiva, Robert Lee Gonzales, Joe Rodriguez, Jimmy Gonzales, and Nicholas Martinez.

     Serving as honorary pallbearers are David Dungan and Oracio Pena Jr.

OAK PARK MEMORIAL FUNERAL CHAPEL

BEEVILLE, TEXAS