Robert Gonzales

Roberto “Bob” Alderete Gonzales was called home on January 5, 2021. Bob was born in San Antonio, Texas to Daniel and Juanita Gonzales and raised by uncle Ben and Adelina Gonzales. He was a resident of Mathis, Texas and former longtime resident of Watonga, Oklahoma.

A graduate of East Central High School in San Antonio, Texas, after high school, Bob enlisted in the United States Army Reserves, reported to Fort Hood for basic training, completed Advanced Individual Training at Fort Sam Houston and continued to serve his country as a Specialist E-5 in the 315^th Medical Battalion until 1962. During his service, Bob was deployed as a medic during the Vietnam War seeing combat in Laos.

Bob married Aurora Gonzales in 1961 and fathered his six beautiful children. In 1968, the family relocated from San Antonio to Watonga, Oklahoma. Bob was a renaissance man which allowed him to dabble in many career fields from Spanish translator, restaurant manager and welder. Bob was an integral part of youth sports and was always involved from the sidelines and starting gates.

In 1999, Bob married Minnie Gonzales, of Watonga, Oklahoma and moved to Mathis, Texas.

While in the Mathis community, Bob continued to serve as a translator and worked within the school’s maintenance and transportation departments. Bob was a kids’ favorite bus driver and the students were always excited to see him behind the wheel for sporting events. In his spare time, Bob’s passion was fishing, hunting, and cooking amazing spreads for family and neighbors.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, previous wife, Aurora Gonzales, brother, Ben Menchaca, and son, James Gonzales.

He is survived by wife, Minnie Gonzales of the home in Mathis, Texas.; son, Steven and wife Ivana Gonzales; daughter, Liz and husband Jim Coleman; daughter, Jane & husband David Marks; son, Douglas Gonzales; son, Kevin and wife Jerri Gonzales, daughter-in-law, Johnna Gonzales, Kevin and Jennifer Strong, Chris and Amy Strong, 18 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren; sister, Gloria and husband Tom Schmidt as well as numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

Memorial services for Bob Gonzales will be provided by Dobie Funeral Home on Friday, January 15, 2021 at 2 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested memorial contributions be made to the Watonga All Sports Association, PO Box 310, Watonga, OK 73772 or Mathis ISD Athletic Boosters, 612 E. San Patricio Ave, Mathis, TX 78368.

Face coverings are required at Memorial Service per Governor Abbott.