Donald J. Gonzales
Funeral services will be held on Friday June 30th, 2017 at 10:00 A.M. in the Chapel of Webb-sanders Funeral Home for Donald J Gonzales 78 of Lindsay who passed away June 22, 2017 from Pulmonary Fibrosis. Interment will follow at Lindsay Strathmore Public Cemetery.
Donald was born April 15, 1939 in Stockton, Ca to John and Dora Gonzales and was raised and attended school in Stockton.
Don was a loving husband, father, and grandpa. His unconditional love for his family included spending time cheering in the stands for his grandchildren during football & volleyball games, endless hours on Sundays supporting his favorite team from the couch the Oakland Raiders to the many holidays, birthdays and BBQ’S spent with his family. Also one of his favorite hobbies was instructing the California Fremont Royal Cadets Marching Band.
But his love didn't stop there, books, computers, music, concerts, politics, fighter planes especially B-52's, gun collecting and all branches of the Military played a huge part in is life.
Don served in the US Air Force from 1958 as a 92d Field Maintenance Squadron (SAC) and was Honorably discharged in 1961.
He became friends with Frank Dycus (famous singer/songwriter) who served during the same time, got together, and formed a duo called "Don & Frank". They found regular bookings over two or three States sometimes opening up for touring stars such as Jim Reeves and Buck Owens and for a short time were regulars on KPEG Spokane Radio.
After his time spent in the Air Force he met the love of his his life, Nancy Lou, and they married Sept 15, 1967 in Reno Nevada and were inseparable until her death in 2009.
Don & Nancy started their family in San Jose, Ca then later moved to Lindsay in 1977 where he lived out the rest of his life. During this time, he had worked as an insurance agent, car salesman, at The Lindsay Olive Plant, at General Cable and later retired with Sun maid Raisin.
After his retirement, he had more time to pursue the creating and composing his own music library called (Ol Don) which is found on FB reverbnation & Youtube. He also had many hidden talents which included some acting at the Porterville Barn Theater (The Lilies of the Fields) in 2015.
He played guitar/piano and sang at The Assembly of God church for many years and taking his talent to other churches thoughtout California. He had a love for his horses Katie & Merrylegs and his dog Kiki & kitty cat Fluffy who miss him greatly.
Donald J Gonzales is proceeded in death by his wife Nancy Lou Gonzales of Lindsay, Mother Dora Morales Gonzales, Father Juan Lucas Gonzales both of Stockton.
He is survived by 4 daughters: Donna Gonzales of Porterville, Rochelle Laden of San Jose, Lindy Lou Mase of Hollister & Monique Woodcock of Hollister, sisters Juanita Nunez of Porterville, Esther Malave of Pico Rivera, nieces & nephews Johnny Dorme & Isaac Nunez Jr both of Porterville, Vicki Rubio of Visalia and Andrew Malave of Burbank, grandchildren: Kayla & Dorian Urrutia, Katelyn Kitaura, Andrew Conroy, Larry Mase Jr, Bryan Walters and 2 great grandchild Adam, Dakota and 1 great-great grandchild Paeyton.
Don was an inspiration to all who knew him and always had a smile on his face and a joke on his lips. He was a kind person who loved and enjoyed life, family and many friends and was always there to brighten the lives of others. He will be missed tremendously but never forgotten. We love you Dad.