Paul Gonzales

Paul Gonzales, 70 of Fort Sumner, NM died Thursday, January 27, 2005 at the Heart Hospital of Albuquerque following an illness. Paul was born February 28, 1934 in Los Ojitos, NM the son of Elias Nicolas and Petra Valdez Gonzales. He was reared at Los Ojitos and Fort Sumner. He graduated from Fort Sumner High School in 1954. While in High School, Paul was active in all sports, He was active in all high school sports. He was named Homecoming Football King in the 1953-54 school years. Following graduation, Paul enlisted in the U.S. Navy on August 4, 1954 and served until his honorable discharge on July 23, 1958. He remained in the U.S. Navy Reserves until August 3, 1962. Following his military discharge, Paul 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. He was certified as a level Double “4”, the highest level possible within this department. He retired in 1997. Paul was a member of the Church on the Hill in Fort Sumner. He traveled across the country showing dogs for many years. He enjoyed fishing and hunting, was an excellent cook and loved to bake. Paul was a true supporter of the Fort Sumner Fox/Vixen teams, he attended all sporting events and always had a word of encouragement for the team. Paul was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers Bill, Johnny, and Lee Gonzales; and one sister Alice Keever. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend who will be dearly missed by his wife Reina Gonzales; daughters Renee Gonzales, Betty Terrell and husband Richard; Kelley Gallegos and husband Louie; brother Ben Gonzales all of Fort Sumner; sisters Mary Parker, Cecilia Luttrall and husband David; and Rosella Hunter and husband Don all of Amarillo, TX. Also surviving are 8 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren and a host of adopted “grandchildren” other family and many friends. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, February 1, 2005 from the Church on The Hill with Sister Anna Teeter officiating. Burial with military honors will follow at Fort Sumner Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Manuel Lucero, Bobby Williamson, Buddy Hall, Johnny Gallegos, Louie Gallegos, Frank Martz, Jerry Chavez and Mike Cantrell. Honorary bearers will be his Church on the Hill family, all present and former Fort Sumner Fox and Vixen teams, and the Fort Sumner High School Class of 1954. The family prefers memorial contributions to the Fox/Vixen Athletics, c/o Fort Sumner Schools, P.O. Box 387; Fort Sumner, NM 88119. Visitation will be Monday from 10am to 6pm at the funeral home. All arrangements are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home, 804 N. Fifth Street; Fort Sumner, New Mexico. (505) 355-2311. www.chavezfuneralhome.com