Richard Gonzales

Richard Gonzales, age 80, passed away August 27, 2002 at an Albuquerque hospital following an illness. Richard was born August 4, 1922 in Puerto De Luna to the home of Ricardo and Bersabe Chavez Gonzales. He moved to Vaughn at the age of 7 and attended schools there. At the age of 18 Richard enlisted in the United States Army where he served in the European Theatre, North Africa and France. He received the Good Conduct Medal. Richard married Genevieve Armijo on January 12, 1948 in Clovis, NM. He worked for the Santa Fe Railroad as a foreman for over 32 years retiring in 1982. Richard loved fishing and was trained as a carpenter and he loved building dollhouses, birdhouses and anything to do with wood. He is preceded in death by his parents and his sister Celia Serrano. Survivors include his wife Genevieve Gonzales of the family home in Vaughn, his children Lorenzo Gonzales and wife Vangie of Cuba, NM, Maria Gonzales of Rio Rancho, Santiago Gonzales and wife Margaret of Santa Fe, Yolanda Culwell and husband Jim of Farmington and Yvonne Gonzales of San Diego, CA, his grandchildren Janice Luna of Bernalillo, Oona Gonzales of Albuquerque, Santiago Gonzales of Santa Fe, Lorenzo Gonzales of Rio Rancho and Victoria Gonzales of Cuba, his great grandchildren Andreana Gonzales and Ceeana Luna. Also surviving are his sisters Stella Phillips of Portales, Patricia and husband Joe also from Portales and his brother Simon Gonzales of Bernardo, NM, numerous nieces,nephews and a host of relatives and friends. Rosary services will be celebrated on Thursday evening at 7:00 from St. Mary's Church in Vaughn. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday morning at 11:00 also from St. Mary's Church with Father John Jasinski officiating. Burial will follow at the Evergreen Cemetery in Vaughn. Serving as Pallbearers will be Jim Culwell, Wesley Lewis, Santiago Gonzales, Lorenzo Gonzales, Jr., Norbert Archibeque and Freddy Armijo. Serving as Honorary Pallbearers will be Luis Duran, Ben Baca, Tony Garcia, Marcelino Cordova and Adino Roybal. All services are entrusted to the Chavez Funeral Home of Santa Rosa.