Reynaldo R. "Chita" Gonzalez
Reynaldo ("Chita") R.
Gonzalez, a man with great passion for faith, family and sports,
passed away August 9, 2020 due to complications of Multiple Myeloma.
He married the love of his life, Teresa
Rodriguez, on June 2, 1956 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in
Wichita, KS and enjoyed 64 loving years together.
He was a loving family man who loved
and cherished not just his immediate family but his brothers and
sisters, nieces, nephews, grandkids and other close "friends of
the family". He enjoyed family picnics and gatherings which
always included games of competition. He looked forward to Mexican
dances where he would enjoy dancing with his wife, daughters, sisters
and grandkids. The look on his face as he would spin you on the dance
floor was that of fun, pride and love.
He fell in love with sports at a young
age, playing baseball, basketball and fastpitch softball. His
enthusiasm for sport led him into playing, coaching, umpiring and
refereeing. He played and coached baseball at the semi-pro level. He
refereed men's basketball at the NCAA level and umpired women's
fastpitch at the NCAA level. He cheered for Notre Dame football, the
Dallas Cowboys, Kansas City Chiefs, Boston Red Sox and the Boston
Celtics. He faithfully watched and followed the teams throughout
their ups and downs. He had several opportunities to see these teams
play in person. Meeting John Havlicek and Dave Cowens gave him a
story he would tell for years to come. Sitting behind the bench of
the Dallas Cowboys, near Michael Irvin's family, gave him the
opportunity to pose for a picture with a ball that Michael Irvin
caught for touchdown. Walking into Notre Dame Stadium for the first
time brought a tear to his eye.
He was a member of Our Lady of
Guadalupe Church (OLG) and served the church in different capacities
but he was most passionate about serving as President of the OLG
Athletic Club. He was a guiding force, along with fellow
parishioners, in the establishment of Our Lady of Guadalupe ballpark
behind the church in 1963. He worked tirelessly year-round to gain
support for the ballpark and the annual Mexican American Men's
Fastpitch Tournament. His contributions to Our Lady Guadalupe's
ballpark and its tournaments successes as a player, coach, umpire and
director is immeasurable.
He was born in Newton, KS, the son of
Jose and Ylaria (Rincon) Gonzalez. After high school, he entered the
Army, serving with the US Army's 2nd Division, in Korea from
1953-1955. He was honorably discharged as a Sergeant First Class. He
and his 7 brothers can proclaim proudly for all having served
honorably in the US Military, with his four older brothers having
served in WWII and he and the others after serving in Korea and
Vietnam.
He is survived by his wife Teresa, and
daughters Victoria Ramirez of Newton, Virginia (Gina) Gaede and
husband Jerry of Newton, Veronica (Roni) Gonzalez-Dunn and husband
Rick of Dallas,TX and Daughter Debbie Palacioz and husband Jerry of
Newton. He is also blessed with 25 grand and great-grandchildren and
one great-great grandchild.
He is also survived by his brother John
Gonzalez and wife Wilda of Newton, and sisters Angelina Chapa of
Dallas, TX, Anita Domme and Genevieve (Josie) Victorio both of
Newton.
He is preceded in death by his parents;
brothers, Carmen, Jose "Koda", Doroteo, Jose Maximo, Jose
Martin, Antonio, Raymond and Daniel Gonzalez; sisters Loretta Moreno
and Maria and Natalia Gonzalez.
The Recitation of the Holy Rosary will
be at 7:00 P.M., Friday (August 14th) with the Mass of Christian
Burial at 10:00 A.M., Saturday (August 15th) both at Our Lady of
Guadalupe Catholic Church in Newton.
Inurnment will follow with military
honors at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery in Newton.
There will not be a viewing as
cremation has taken place.
A memorial has been established with
St. Jude's Children Hospital. Contributions may be sent to Broadway
Colonial Funeral Home, 120 E. Broadway, Newton, Ks. 67114.
Condolences may be left at
www.broadwaycolonialfh.com.
Arrangements are by Broadway Colonial
Funeral Home, Newton, Ks.
1933 - 2020 (87 years)