Tomas Gonzales

Tomas "Tom" Edward Gonzales, 55, of Kerrville, went to be home with our Lord Jesus Christ on February 12, 2018 after fighting a battle with cancer. He was born in San Antonio to Jesse Townsend Gonzales and Amelia De Leon on July 11, 1962. At age 5, Tom was diagnosed with a classic VSD (it was a nickel size hole in his heart in a rare place) and at that time, surgeons did not know how to repair it. Other than an extremely odd sounding heart, it never seemed to bother his activities. Growing up, Tom quickly began his passion for motorcycles and cars. He bought his own motorcycle as a young boy with his newspaper sales. He bought his first car when he was 12 years old, it was a Chrysler, New Yorker. Since that first car, Tom never owned a car very long, and he couldn't tell you exactly how many cars he owned in his lifetime. Tom then began learning how to work on his own cars with his dad and brothers. This began his lifelong journey with fixing cars and restoring cars. His favorite cars were muscle cars and continue to be. His most prized muscle car he restored was a rare competition orange 1970 Cuda convertible with a 440 V8 engine. His most recent favorite type of cars are Hondas, and in trucks, dodge diesels. As a teenager, Tom would partner with his older nephews and help drive eighteen-wheelers across the country. During high school, he took automotive and body shop courses. After graduating high school, he worked at mechanic shops and decided to attend aircraft school. In 1981, Tom met the love of his life over the phone at Paul Anderson Company. They eventually met in person, Tom picked her up in his blue scooped up Nova, Diane quickly shared the Love of Jesus to him, and it was then Tom received Christ as his Savior and became a Christ follower. They fell in love, and in November 19, 1983, their youth Pastor, Jim Eng married them. They drove off in Tom's copper Super Bee. A week, after they got married, Tom was hospitalized for two and half months with endocarditis and underwent major heart surgery and surgeons were able to patch up his VSD with a Dacron patch. The surgery was a great success and a huge blessing for Tom to finally be able to get his heart repaired. After Tom graduated from Aircraft school, he began working on airplanes. He worked on all types of airplanes, from Boeing 747s to Lear Jets, to Kerrville's Mooney airplanes. He worked on all areas of the airplanes from sheet metal, to landing gears, to the cockpit, interiors and engines. His work was always outstanding and he often broke production records. He even invented a much-needed part that the engineers were able to use. Tom loved working and always worked very hard for his family. In 1988, he had his first son, Jonathan. He was very proud to have him and in 1994 his only daughter was born, Joy. As soon as she was born he asked, "When can we can we put earrings on her?" In 1996, The Lord opened doors for his family to come to Kerrville Texas where they remained and continue to be long time members of First Baptist Church. While in Kerrville, Tom continued working with cars and dodge diesels, Tom would often need to commute to San Antonio with his work, and always tried to take the time to visit his family whenever he could, especially his brothers, whom he was very close to. When Joy was in high school, Tom enjoyed being a Tivy Band Parent with Diane and watching Johnny Manziel play football. On June 4th, 2017, before Tom found out he had cancer, he had the great honor to give his daughter her hand in marriage to Anthony Robbins of Kerrville, Texas. Tom always enjoyed getting together with all his family whom he loved very much. Tom also enjoyed fishing, boating, the beach, family vacations, and everything the great outdoors had to offer. Tom was a true man of honor. He was a faithful man of God. He was courageous and stood up for what was right. He treated everyone from all walks of life with respect. He was a humble, sensitive man. He was a peacemaker. He fed the hungry when he could. He loved animals and would often rescue them. He enjoyed helping others fix their cars, especially those in need. But most importantly, it was his desire that others come to know Jesus Christ and follow Him also, even through his death.\r\n\r\nTom was preceded in death by his parents and brother Carlos Gonzales, and many half siblings and their spouses.\r\n\r\nTom is survived by his loving wife, Diane Gonzales, his son, Jonathan Gonzales, his daughter, Joy and her husband Anthony Robbins; his brothers: Antonio Gonzales and wife, Patricia, Rogelio Gonzales and wife, Grace, Ruben Gonzales and wife, Beatrice, Rudy Gonzales and wife, Isabel, and many half siblings and their spouses. Tom is also survived by his mother-in-law, Gloria Zertuche Chairez, his brother-in-law's: Philip Chairez and wife, Debbie, James Chairez, Fernando Chairez III, plus numerous beloved uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces, nephews, and lifelong friends.\r\n\r\nVisitation will be held at First Baptist Church, 625 Washington Street, Kerrville, Texas, 78028, from 9am till 10:30 am on Saturday, February 17th, 2018. \r\n\r\nA celebration of life service will be held at 11am following the visitation, also at First Baptist Church Kerrville, with Pastor John Hiddema officiating. Burial will follow at Garden of Memories.\r\n\r\nPallbearers will be: Anthony Robbins, Ruben Gonzales, Rudy Gonzales, Roger Jesse Gonzales Jr., Joe A. DeLeon Jr., and Larry F. Gonzales.\r\n\r\nHonorary Pallbearers: Jonathan Gonzales, Rogelio Gonzales, Randy Johnson, Tony Fragoso, Armando Flores, David Espurvoa, and the late Jacob Gonzales.\r\n\r\nA special heartfelt thank you to our First Baptist Church family, our Personal Family, our Samaritan's Ministries Family, everyone from New Hope Unlimited, all of The Peterson Hospice staff, everyone at Brookdale Guadalupe River Plaza, all of Tom's other Doctors and Nurses, and all our friends for all your love, support, and understanding. But most of all to Our Loving Heavenly Father who has held us in the palm of His hand. All Praise and Glory and Honor to HIM! \r\n