Medardo Gonzales

Medardo Gonzales left the family he loved to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on September 20, 2021. He died of natural causes at the VA hospital in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He was 88. A memorial service will be held at First Baptist Church of West Albuquerque, 6400 Gold Course Rd. NW Albuquerque, NM at 11:00 am, November 20, 2021, with a reception following. He will be laid to rest with a military service in Santa Fe at the National Veterans Cemetery – a later date soon to follow.

He was born in La Jara, New Mexico on January 4, 1933, to loving parents.

He grew up on beautiful land surrounded by siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and many cousins he loved very much. He spent many hours herding sheep, doing chores, visiting friends and family, and playing with his beloved sheep dog.

The family later moved to Gallup when he was in his mid-teens. After graduating from Cathedral High School and working various jobs, he joined the United States Army and served from 1953 to 1955. He spent some time in Korea and Japan.

After returning from the service to Gallup, he met and married Jennie Chavez, together they had 8 children. They spent some years in Arizona and California and moved back to New Mexico in 1974. He later retired from the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

After spending two decades in Grants, New Mexico, where he did some substitute teaching and small business, he moved to Albuquerque in 2013. During this time, he authored two books and spent the remaining years living with his son Marty and surrounding himself with his children, grandchildren, and greatgrandchildren. Sunday mornings were spent with his church family and every Thursday evening having dinner with many of his family who could gather. It was a treasured time.

He is preceded in death by his parents: Elizardo and Emilia (Gutierrez) Gonzales; six siblings: four in infancy, sister Carmelita Alonzo, brother Ismael Gonzales both of Gallup; two grandchildren: Joseph and Michelle Gonzales; two sons-in-law: Jesse Reyna and Terry Donithan and Jennie.

He is survived by two sisters: Estella Crespin (Marshall) of Cuba, NM and Belle Campbell of Colorado; children: Adrian Gonzales (Wynema) of Cortez, Colorado, Medardo M. Gonzales, Arnold Gonzales (Sandra), Barbara Donithan all of Albuquerque, NM, Victor Gonzales of Belen, NM, Sylvia Martin (Tim) of Albuquerque, NM, Monica Moran, and John Gonzales (Victoria) of Belen, NM.

He also left behind 26 grandchildren, 43 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild and many nieces and nephews. His love, stories, jokes, friendship, and phone calls will be greatly missed.

Presiding over the service will be his Pastor Matthew Mauldin of Westside Christian Fellowship Church of Albuquerque, NM, Pastor Stephen Baum officiating, and son Medardo M. Gonzales delivering the eulogy.

Riverside Funeral Home of Albuquerque provided services.