Thomas George Gonzales Sr

1945 ∼ 2014

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Thomas George Gonzales Sr., 68, of Beaumont went to be with the Lord Saturday May 31, 2014 after a valiant battle with cancer. He was born July 6, 1945 and lived most of his life in Beaumont. He was preceded in death by his mother, Delia Thornell and his grandmother, Isabella Costello. Survivors include his children Felicia Reyes, Thomas Gonzales Jr., Theresa Nolan and her husband Scott, Sabrina Smith and her husband Scott, Dave Gonzales and his wife Tabatha, thirteen grandchildren, and numerous great grandchildren. He was loved, adored, and cherished by his family and friends, and he will be greatly missed.

A gathering of family and friends will be held Tuesday, June 3, 2014 from 5:00 – 8:00 pm at Claybar Kelley Watkins Funeral Home. There will be a celebration of Thomas’ life Wednesday, June 4, 2014 at 10:00 am also at the funeral home with interment to follow at China Cemetery.

There is so much I want to say about daddy for all of us. For those he met, he touched for a lifetime. He was generous beyond measure, he fed the hungry, and helped the poor. He didn't attend church regularly but had personal relationship with his Savior, and his ailment allowed him to draw closer . He was what Jesus intended a disciple should be . He didn't have a degree , he didn't like the spotlight, but he was a man of integrity . He never broke a promise . All though we all felt like his favorite , he didn't have any favorites . He loved us all the same, but he did pull to those who were hurting or had a need. His children and family were the reason for his existence .

Some of the happiest days of my dad's life were when we bought land next door to my mother’s parents. Dad never knew his dad and my paw paw took him in as his own. My dad loved and respected him with everything he had and the feeling was mutual.

Later on in the years my dad took on the responsibility to take care of his mom with Alzheimer's. Sabrina and the girls spent more time with her than me and Dave . But at the end daddy asked me to help because he didn't think Sabrina was strong enough for this next step. I didn't want to, because I was definitely not her favorite , half the time she didn't claim me. But when my daddy asked me, I did it. I'm so glad I did, I fell in love with grandmaw and restored a relationship that was broken. We all came back together including my brother Thomas Jr. She was surrounded by her family something we learned from our sweet father.

Our father was not perfect , but pretty close. He always reached out to help others and always recognized needs of others and sometimes perfect strangers. You never know when you are entertaining angels. I know those he entertained greeted him along with Jesus to take him home.

My dad was not dealt the best hand in life but he took the cards and made the best of it. He never knew his father and yearned for that all of his life but instead of being bitter he poured his life into his kids. He made sure we knew our dad loved us.

He didn't have the easiest kids to raise but he was there with open arms when we ventured off thinking we knew best . He let us make mistakes but welcomed us back like the story of the prodigal son..

My dad was not a rich man monetary wise, but during treatment Dr. Kong , told dad he was rich because of his family and how blessed he was, because many do not have what he has. We all wanted to give back to daddy, but nothing we did could ever repay what he has done for us.

I speak for all of us when I say , dad nurtured us when we were sick, cooked, cleaned, spent time teaching us worked hard two jobs to be able to have family time on weekends with movie and dinner and yet he still found time to reach out to those he didn't know . We watched his generosity and love for others . He never had a lot, but in the times that he had much, he gave it away. He left us a legacy and will do our best to continue being the selfless person that he was.

I heard this quote and felt it fitting-

"A truly rich man is one whose children run into their arms when his hands are empty"

Author unknown

It was our turn to give back, and what an honor it was !

What I have learned from my hero I call dad.

Love your family, for who they are not what they are, not what degree they have. My brother Dave went to school for mechanical engineering , my sister is going for chemical engineering. My other brother works with his hands and me myself , well natural born marketer but never made one of us feel superior over the other because of degrees or education. He didn't have patience for mediocrity or laziness, there was always a way to make a living and make a life so he encouraged us and believed in us to be our best at whatever that may be.

There was never a dull moment lots of laughs with daddy. He would make up nick names sometimes because of his hearing problems .

Sabrina - Nina

Thomas - Junior- poo

Rene-na na

Elishia-Lisa bell

Dave- Dave Edward

Theresa - Teri

Emery- Emily Trevor

Faith- faya

Cynthia- Cyndi- Lou

Tabatha- Tamatha

Nurse - Tamieka - Jamaica

Sarah- Sarah Bella

He kept us rolling , and we will hang on to those memories. The last three days with dad he had zero pain and God honored his prayers of dying with dignity . Even though god did not choose to heal him on earth dad received the ultimate healing in heaven.

The hope we will hang on to is that this is a brief separation until we meet again. We Love you daddy !!

Condolences

Ruben Delarosa November 18, 2020

From a Childhood Friend of Thomas,Hi my name is Ruben De La Rosa, Thomas and I have been friends since we were around 10 years old. We shared so many memories and had such great times together.We went to some of the same schools from Davy Crockett Jr. Hi, to Beaumont High School. My family and I moved to Houston in 1973 and Thomas and I lost touch, the last time I saw him was in 1976 when he and his mom Dee, and his Grand Mother were living on Orange St. near College Ave. When we were teens we were inseparable, if you found one, you'd the two. Your dad tried to get me into weight lifting and body building way back in our teenage years he did really great and had a great physique back then and kept it up for a long as I can remember. I was always the lazy one and didn't get into it like him. I wish I could have seen him at least one more time. I tried to look for him several times but had no luck. I just found this obituary and my heart just sunk, I cried for a long time, and wish I would have had a chance to tell him what a great friend and brother he was to me. I loved your dad, and so did my wife and family. I pray the Lord will give you Peace and Comfort to your family, and I know you all miss him. God Bless you all.Your Friend,Ruben De La Rosa(rdelarosa13@comcast.net)

Rene Gonzales June 24, 2014

Miss you more then ever. It really doesn't seem real. I remember you sitting on the bed coloring with Emery the morning before you passed. I'm so glad she got to bond with you. Those are the memories I will cherish forever.

Sabrina Smith June 6, 2014

I love you daddy.. No one can ever replace you!

Scott Theresa Nolan June 5, 2014

From your kids- we love you daddy!!! There is so much I want to say about daddy for all of us. For those he met, he touched for a lifetime. He was generous beyond measure, he fed the hungry, and helped the poor. He didn't attend church regularly but had personal relationship with his Savior, and his ailment allowed him to draw closer . He was what Jesus intended a disciple should be . He didn't have a degree , he didn't like the spotlight, but he was a man of integrity . He never broke a promise . All though we all felt like his favorite , he didn't have any favorites . He loved us all the same, but he did pull to those who were hurting or had a need. His children and family were the reason for his existence . Some of the happiest days of my dad's life were when we bought land next door to my mother’s parents. Dad never knew his dad and my paw paw took him in as his own. My dad loved and respected him with everything he had and the feeling was mutual. Later on in the years my dad took on the responsibility to take care of his mom with Alzheimer's. Sabrina and the girls spent more time with her than me and Dave . But at the end daddy asked me to help because he didn't think Sabrina was strong enough for this next step. I didn't want to, because I was definitely not her favorite , half the time she didn't claim me. But when my daddy asked me, I did it. I'm so glad I did, I fell in love with grandmaw and restored a relationship that was broken. We all came back together including my brother Thomas Jr. She was surrounded by her family something we learned from our sweet father. Our father was not perfect , but pretty close. He always reached out to help others and always recognized needs of others and sometimes perfect strangers. You never know when you are entertaining angels. I know those he entertained greeted him along with Jesus to take him home. My dad was not dealt the best hand in life but he took the cards and made the best of it. He never knew his father and yearned for that all of his life but instead of being bitter he poured his life into his kids. He made sure we knew our dad loved us. He didn't have the easiest kids to raise but he was there with open arms when we ventured off thinking we knew best . He let us make mistakes but welcomed us back like the story of the prodigal son.. My dad was not a rich man monetary wise, but during treatment Dr. Kong , told dad he was rich because of his family and how blessed he was, because many do not have what he has. We all wanted to give back to daddy, but nothing we did could ever repay what he has done for us. I speak for all of us when I say , dad nurtured us when we were sick, cooked, cleaned, spent time teaching us worked hard two jobs to be able to have family time on weekends with movie and dinner and yet he still found time to reach out to those he didn't know . We watched his generosity and love for others . He never had a lot, but in the times that he had much, he gave it away. He left us a legacy and will do our best to continue being the selfless person that he was. I heard this quote and felt it fitting- "A truly rich man is one whose children run into their arms when his hands are empty" Author unknown It was our turn to give back, and what an honor it was ! What I have learned from my hero I call dad. Love your family, for who they are not what they are, not what degree they have. My brother Dave went to school for mechanical engineering , my sister is going for chemical engineering. My other brother works with his hands and me myself , well natural born marketer but never made one of us feel superior over the other because of degrees or education. He didn't have patience for mediocrity or laziness, there was always a way to make a living and make a life so he encouraged us and believed in us to be our best at whatever that may be. There was never a dull moment lots of laughs with daddy. He would make up nick names sometimes because of his hearing problems . Sabrina - Nina Thom

Claybar Funeral Home June 4, 2014

Claybar Funeral Homes created a Tribute Video in memory of Thomas George Gonzales Sr

Anonymous June 4, 2014

Peach Rose (Silk Cemetery Flowers) was purchased for the family of Thomas George Gonzales Sr.

Leva Smith June 3, 2014

Very sweet man a good man RIP Leva Smith

Priscilla And Joe Smith June 3, 2014

Thomas was the most generous, caring man we had to pleasure of knowing. He loved his children and lived his life for them. He left behind many loving memories for them and those he cared about. He will be missed immensely. He was a good man and lived a life that pleased God.

Joe And Priscilla June 3, 2014

Joe and Priscilla purchased the Large Basket Garden for the family of Thomas George Gonzales Sr.

Sarah Jacks June 2, 2014

You were one of the greatest men that has ever walked the earth. It was such a blessing to be able to call you my pawpaw. I will forever cherish the memories we had together. Me and you had a bond that I don't think I will ever have with anyone else. When I felt like I didn't have anyone, you were quick to remind me that I would always have you. I still need you and I didnt want you to go so soon. But now I know you'll be with me every step of the way..

Rene Gonzales June 2, 2014

I will cherish all our memories together. And I will always be thankful for every sacrifice you made for us. You are the glue that held us together

Lola Gibson June 2, 2014

I'll never forget Thomas' thoughtfulness when we all went to Squeaky's to Ski and Skats when Hurricane Rita blew in. He bought all of us gas cans and filled them when it was time to return home.

Cindy Padgett June 2, 2014

1 file added to the tribute wall

event Other

location_on Claybar Kelley-Watkins Funeral Home, 1155 North 11th Street, Beaumont, 77702

directions Get Directions

schedule Tuesday, June 3, 2014 at 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM

event Celebration of Life