Albert C. Gonzales

Albert C. Gonzales, 84 of Fort Sumner, NM died Thursday, December 16, 2004 at Eastern New Mexico Medical Center in Roswell, NM following a brief illness. Albert was born August 26, 1920 in Guadalupe, New Mexico to the home of Coldoveo Gonzales and the former Amadita Casaus. As a young man Albert worked in the Civilian Conservation Corps during the final construction of the Alamogordo Dam Project, he also worked road and bridge construction. Albert married Louisa Lopez on December 6, 1941 in Fort Sumner, NM. Albert served in the U.S. Army with Company A, 83rd Infantry. Following his honorable discharge in 1943 Albert worked as a cowboy for many years with the Hollis Tyson Ranch near Guadalupe, Sam Steele Ranch west of Fort Sumner; Skeet Williams near Belen, NM, and Jeff Good at Salado; he always helped many of the county ranchers during their brandings. Albert also worked for many years as a mechanic beginning with Withers Motor Company in the 1950’s and later at Gordon Lucus Motor Company, Raymond Drake/Arrow Gas Company, and Fort Sumner Auto. He was also employed by Wholesale Auto Parts. Albert had a love for horses and was a cowboy role model for his grandsons who he taught and encouraged to rodeo. Albert was an avid song writer, singer and an accomplished player of the guitar, fiddle, accordion and steel guitar. He spent hours playing his guitar and singing. He also loved to dance, and taught his children to dance. He enjoyed sharing his many life experiences and was a wonderful storyteller. He was a joker, always telling jokes and making people laugh. Albert was a lifelong catholic and a member of St. Anthony Catholic Church in Fort Sumner. He was a charter member and a Fourth Degree of Knights Of Columbus Council #8331 in Fort Sumner. Albert was a member of American Legion Post #21 in Fort Sumner. Albert was preceded in death by his parents; a son Jose Alberto Gonzales Jr., on February 4, 1943; four brothers Leandro Gonzales, James Gonzales, Arturo Gonzales, and Cornelio ‘Smokey’ Gonzales. He is loved and will be greatly missed by his family. Survivors include his wife of 63 years Louisa Gonzales of the family home in Fort Sumner; three daughters Mary Ann Delgado and husband Rito of Roswell, NM; Melba Torres and husband Alejandro Jr. of Roswell, NM; Rosie Carter of Portales, NM; four sons George Gonzales and wife Ruby of Fort Sumner; Fred Gonzales and wife Betty of Clovis, NM; Joe Frank Gonzales and wife Diana of Roswell, NM; and Steve Gonzales and wife Cheryl of Las Vegas, NM; also surviving are 15 grandchildren, and 8 great-grandchildren, three sisters-in-law Betty Gonzales and Lucy Gonzales of Albuquerque, and Carolina Griego of Fort Sumner along with numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends and co-workers who stood by his side and who visited him through his illness. Rosary services will be held at 7:00 p.m. Monday, December 20, 2004 from St. Anthony Catholic Church in Fort Sumner, NM; Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated from the church at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, December 21, 2004 with Father Sotero A. Sena officiating. Burial will follow in the family plot, Fort Sumner Cemetery. Pallbearers will be his grandsons, Richard Gonzales, Michael Gonzales, Jeremy Gonzales, Joseph Gonzales, Nicky Delgado, Matthew Delgado, Christopher Carter, Vicente Gonzales, and Bradley Gonzales. Honorary bearers will be all his grandchildren. Visitation will be Monday from 11am 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 I’m Free Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free I’m following the path God has laid for me. I took His hand when I heard him call I turned my back and left it all. I could not stay another day To laugh, to love, to work, to play. Tasks left undone must stay that way I found that peace at the close of day. If my parting has left a void Then fill it with remembered joy. A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss Oh yes, these things I too will miss. Be not burdened with time of sorrow I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow. My life’s been full, I savored much Good friends, good times, a loved one’s touch. Perhaps my time seemed all too brief Don’t lengthen it now with undue grief. Lift up your hearts and peace to thee God wanted me now; He set me free.