Elidio Gonzales

Elidio Amescua Gonzales
A rosary is scheduled for 7 pm, Thursday, April 14, 2016 at Ballard Funeral Home Chapel for Elidio A. Gonzales, 85, who passed away Monday, April 11, 2016 at ENMMC. Funeral mass is scheduled for 12 pm, Friday, April 15, 2016 at St. Peter's Catholic Church with Father Charlie Martinez officiating. Burial will follow at General Douglas McBride Veteran's Cemetery with Roswell Veteran's Honor Guard conducting services. Visitation will be held from 2 to 7 pm, Wednesday, April 13, 2016 and 9 am, to 7 pm, Thursday, April 14, 2016 at Ballard Funeral Home Chapel.

Elidio A. Gonzales was born September 24, 1930 in Sabinal, TX to Lidio Gonzales and Consuelo Amescua who both preceded him in death as well as five siblings, more recently Connie Doerhoefer in 2013 and beloved daughter Norma J. Gonzales also in 2013 and also a great grandson Adrian Cobos and son-in-law Richard Lucero.

He was raised mostly in the South Valley Texas area where he also attended school. Elidio married in 1949 and had six daughters. He was drafted into the Army in 1951 and served two years before transferring to the Air Force where he retired after twenty-three years of service. During his military career he served in both the Korean and Vietnam wars. After his military retirement he obtained a degree in counseling, later retiring from the Delta School District Migrant Education System in Sacramento, CA.

He was lifetime member of the VFW and the fraternal Order of Eagles #3187.

Elidio was a loving father, grandfather, great grandfather, and great great-grandfather. He was proud of his daughters and referred to them as his treasures in life, always remembering their birthdays with heartfelt cards.

He valued his siblings and extended family in Texas and made great efforts to keep in touch with many of them.

Christmas was his ultimately favorite holiday and always gave gifts to each of his great grandkids and hosted a yearly get together. He listened to Christmas music earlier and earlier each year.

He will be greatly missed!

Those left to cherish his memories are his daughters Irene Gonzales (Rudy Candelaria) of Roswell, Ann Lucero of Roswell, Melinda Gonzales of Roswell, Loraine Cobos (Jerry) of Roswell and Sandra Renteria (Henry) of Cloudcroft; sister Olivia Gomez of Monterey, CA and Annie Regalado of Phoenix, AZ; eighteen grandchildren; thirty-one great grandchildren and three great great-grandchildren.

Serving as pallbearers are Ruben Morones, John Cobos, Jason Lucero, DJ Renteria, Rocky Renteria and Aaron Cobos. Honorary pallbearers are Rudy Candelaria, Jerry Cobos, Henry Renteria, Mark Salas, Carlos Morones, Eric Lucero, Rudy Joe Morones and Joey Renteria.

The family would like to give special thanks to all his doctors, Dr. Braik and nurses of the Cancer Center, Dr. Scally, Dr. Hobbs, Dr. Adajar and Dr. Shet. And also the Legion Riders.


Letter from Heaven
When tomorrow starts without me,
and I'm not here to see,
If the sun should rise and find your
Eyes filled with tears for me.
I wish so much you wouldn't cry,
The way you did today,
While thinking of the many things
We didn't get to say.
I know how much you love me,
As much as I love you,
And each time you think of me,
I know you'll miss me too.
When tomorrow starts without me,
Don't think we're far apart,
For every time you think of me,
I'm right there in your heart.

Visitation

Ballard Funeral Home and Crematory
910 S. Main St.
Roswell, NM  88203
Wednesday, April 13, 2016
2:00 to 7:00 pm

Ballard Funeral Home and Crematory
910 S. Main St.
Roswell, NM  88203
Thursday, April 14, 2016
9:00 am to 7:00 pm

Service

Rosary

Ballard Funeral Home Chapel
910 S. Main St.
Roswell, NM  88203
Thursday, April 14, 2016
7:00 pm

Funeral Mass

St. Peters Catholic Church
109 E. Deming
Roswell, NM  88203
Friday, April 15, 2016
12:00 am

Cemetery

General Douglas L McBride Veterans Cemetery
3101 S. Main
Roswell, NM  88203