Richard Gonzalez

Richard Gonzalez, also known as “Coach” age 74, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, February 25th surrounded by his loving family, after a courageous six year battle with liver cancer. He was born April 3, 1935 in Tulsa, Oklahoma to Bessie and Timoteo Gonzalez. He graduated from Central High School in 1954, he went on to serve in the United States Navy as an instructor for helicopter simulators. After returning to Tulsa he attended the University of Tulsa and Northeastern State University. He then went to work in the liquor business and was owner of Warehouse Liquor Store from 1959 until he closed in 2006 to spend time with his family and friends. When Richard wasn’t working he spent his time on the golf course. Richard’s passion was the game of golf. He was the city champion in 1965, he was asked to turn pro but chose to stay close to home instead. Richard was more than a great golfer, he loved people, and made lifelong friends through the sport. Richard was diagnosed in the Spring of 2004 with stage IV liver cancer. Despite initially being told that he had only months to live, he was a fighter. He spent the last six years of his life enjoying time with his family and doing the things he loved most: meeting friends for breakfast or lunch, playing golf, volunteering for golf tournaments, taking trips with his buddies to watch a TU, OSU, or Texas Tech games, and being a ca re giver to anyone that needed help. Richard loved sports and was a dedicated fan to Jenks football and basketball. He was present for any sporting event his grandchildren were involved in. Richard especially enjoyed the game of basketball. He attended every event, game, and tournament he could. He was a well known face in the stands of Jenks Basketball and Football games. He had an impeccable knowledge and love of sports and shared this with his family every chance he got. Richard was a beloved man by all that got the chance to know him. His strength and courage were admirable as he overcame unimaginable difficulties. Richard was an active supporter of the Tulsa Green Country Chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, his goal was helping find a cure for his three grandchildren who have Type 1 diabetes. He is preceded in death by his parents, brothers Johnny, Gabriel and Harold. He is survived by his wife, Betty, three daughters: Val Hansen and her husband Carl, Michelle Tonielli and her husband John, and Melanie Ellis and her husband Charles, and a son Johnny Ray Reed, all of Tulsa. Richard was “Grandpa” to Kristen, Eric and Alisen Hansen, John and Michael Tonielli, Jordan Stipe, Dawson and Sydney Ellis, Jamie Gorrell, John, Courtney and Kylie Reed. His two great-grandchildren Bailey and Tatum Gorrell. His loving siblings, brothers; Raymond and Timoteo Jr. and sisters; Cecelia Rodriquez & Raquel Cantu and their families, and countless lifelong friends. His family is thankful for the exceptional care he received from M.D. Anderson, special thanks to Dr. Jihad Khattab and Dr. Melanie Thomas, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, and his many angels here on earth. Visitation will be at Fitzgerald Southwood Colonial Chapel from 2:00 to 5:00 pm on Sunday, February 28., Rosary will be at St. Bernards Catholic Church on Sunday, February 28th at 7:30 pm . Memorial service is Monday, March 1, at 2:00 p.m. at St. Bernards . In lieu of flowers the family request donations be made to the Richard Gonzalez Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Jenks Basketball Activity Fund, 205 E. “B” Street, Jenks OK 74037.

Richard Gonzalez

April 3, 1935 - February 25, 2010