Johnny A. Gonzales

A Celebration of Life will be held Friday December 8th, 2017 at 2 p.m, Anderson Bethany Funeral Home, Roswell, NM. Interment will follow at South Park Cemetery A faithful Servant of God always wanting to do more than anyone could; the fear of God was in him to honor the Lord in all things and to do for others. Johnny A Gonzales, 68, has won the race home on Saturday, November 25, 2017, he was born in Artesia, NM to Manuel Gonzales, Visalia, CA and the late Ramona Acosta. Johnny had a love and compassion to God; his ideas were endless. With his wife and daughters, they worked on all these plans God gave him to get them accomplished. Johnny could be found everywhere lifting people’s spirits up with the word. Literally Thousands and thousands of prisoners heard the Gospel and many were born again because of his faithfulness and commitment to them. Johnny is the founder of Prison Doors Ministry/Community Volunteer Program. He always listened to people, never left anyone out, and had a real passion for serving his community. This translated into years of volunteer service. Johnny was well known and respected in the local community. He was a very caring and compassionate person, who always put the needs of others before his own, always very giving and had a smile for everyone. A very descriptive story teller who was able to command anyone’s attention and was a natural born leader. He would sit with his Bible and write in his log book about the activities for the next day, and prepare his calendar for a year. It was the simple things around him in life that he never took for granted, commenting daily how fortunate and thankful he was. Above all, Johnny was absolutely devoted to his wife, daughters, grandchildren and the community. He was a father who always encouraged his family to help others in need, no matter their situation and keep their eyes on God. He respected and loved his wife unconditionally. He was a man of strong faith, believing in the power, strength of Jesus Christ’s love and the beauty with peace that would await him after his passing. He was truly a legacy to his family, community, surrounding areas, and prisons. He will truly be missed by many. Johnny is survived by his best friend, loving wife of 46 years, Mary, father, Manuel Gonzales of Visalia, CA, sister Angie Gonzales of Bakersfield, CA, brother Leo Gonzales, of Roswell. Daughters Michelle and husband Michael Martinez, Angela and husband Justin Dunbarr, Regina and husband Joseph Paredes of Roswell. His beloved ‘sons/grandsons’ who he raised, Nathaniel and Josiah Paredes. Grandchildren, Sara Cruz of Goshen, CA, Mariah Martinez, China Landreth, Malena Martinez, Yvette Dunbarr, Jonathan Martinez, Zachariah Dunbarr, and Markus Dunbarr of Roswell, NM, including three great children, Mia Munoz, Benjamin and Ian Valencia of Goshen, CA. Sister-in-law Yolanda and husband Delfin Hinojos, of Carlsbad, NM, Virginia and Steve Perez of Hobbs, NM, Linda and husband Jed Dill of Roswell, NM, Cindy Sosa and fiancée Michael Chavez of Roswell, NM, along with numerous nieces, nephews, friends. Many who loved him and cherish him for life. He is preceded in death by his son Johnny A Gonzales II, daughter Veneta Sherri Gonzales, unborn 6 month old daughter, his mom Ramona Acosta Gonzales, sister Nancy Sarli, brother Robert Gonzales, sister-in-law Margie Castillo, mother-in-law Luciy Rodriguez, and father-in-law Angel Sosa. 21 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful [h]servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will set thee over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy lord. Matthew 25:21 ASV 21 He that followeth after righteousness and kindness Findeth life, righteousness, and honor. Proverbs 21:21 ASV This tribute was lovingly written in honor of Johnny by his family.

Johnny A. Gonzales

September 29, 1949 - November 25, 2017