Eugene Gonzalez

Eugenio (Eugene) Gonzalez
HAMLIN - Eugenio (Eugene) Gonzalez, 93, died Friday, August 11, 2017 at his lifelong home west of Hamlin. Service will be 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, Aug 15, 2017 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Rotan with Father Renato Cruz officiating and assisted by Father Teresito Paqueo. Rosary will be 7:00 p.m., Monday, August 14, 2017 at Weathersbee-Ray Chapelin Rotan under the direction of Weathersbee-Ray Funeral Home.
Born November 15, 1923 in Hamlin, Texas, Eugene was a son of the late Antonio and Lucia (Arzola) Gonzalez. He married his lifelong love Gregoria Rodriguez on Feb 3, 1950. Eugene was a lifelong resident of Fisher County and an active member of St. Joseph's Catholic Parish in Rotan and dedicated much love and effort in the restoration and upkeep of the Sacred Heart Church (El Ranchito) 12 miles east of Rotan.
Eugene was raised on the family farm 10 miles west of Hamlin where he helped his family with crop farming and raising livestock. He enlisted in the United States Navy in November of 1944 and served honorably until his discharge in Jun of 1946. He served on a US Navy troop carrier at the end of World War II bringing back our brave and honorable troops from the Asia-Pacific war theatre. He began his career in the oilfield shortly after that working for an independent oil producer in the Roundtop fields west of Hamlin. As a "pumper" for an independent he was "Chief Cook & Bottle Washer" as he would say about his Navy career and did everything from keeping sites clean, to monitoring and adjusting flowing wells, to supervising workover and wireline units. Later he continued his oilfield career with Conoco as a plant operator at the Hamlin gas plant. He finished his oilfield career with his retirement from Conoco. After retirement, he pursued woodworking as a hobby and developed a passion and skill for building beautiful furniture especially cedar lined chests. He was especially proud of the chests he built with native Mesquite wood and old barn wood salvaged from the family farm. Eugene also loved to travel with his wife Gregoria during his retirement years. He travelled internationally to Dubai, United Arab, Emirates, Muscat, Oman, Italy and Spain. He loved the Western states and travelled extensively to New Mexico, Arizona, California and Utah. Eugene was also an avid reader on a variety of subjects but especially loved the Louis L'Amour western novels and read them all, at least twice.
Eugene is preceded in death by his parents; his son; George Gonzalez, two brothers, Ben and Filiberto Gonzalez; and two sisters, Cecilia Romero and Clara Garcia.
Eugene is survived by his wife of 67 years Gregoria; his son, Carlos Gonzalez and wife Amelia (Millie) of Buffalo Gap, TX; two brothers, Guillermo Gonzalez of Carlsbad, NM and Antonio Gonzalez of Odessa, TX; 5 grandchildren; Anna, Kathy, and Nicolas Gonzalez; Alicia Tatum and husband Justin and Michael Gonzalez and wife Erin; 5 great-grandchildren; Avery Gonzalez, Hudson and Grant Tatum and Deven and Vivian Gonzalez.
Pallbearers will be Andres Gonzalez, Jose Gonzalez, John Mark Gonzalez, Andres Arce, Jr., Eddie Gonzalez, and Luis Romero.

Visitation

Weathersbee Ray Funeral Home
111 N. McKinley
Rotan, TX  79546
Monday, August 14, 2017
7:00 pm

Service

St. Josephs Catholic Church
Rotan, TX  79546
Tuesday, August 15, 2017
10:00 am

Cemetery

Belvieu Cemetery
2 miles east of Rotan on hwy 92
Rotan, TX  79546