GONZALES, Gilbert Canizalez

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona ~ January 16, 2009 Devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend, Gilbert Canizalez Gonzales died Sunday, Jan. 11, 2009, in the Salt River Canyon as the result of a single-car accident. He was 62. The former Navajo County administrator, where he served for 12 years, was born Aug. 14, 1946, in Miami to the late Gilbert Mendez and Lola (Canizalez) Gonzales. Gilbert graduated from Miami High School in 1964 and later in 1968 he graduated from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff. In younger years, Gilbert was an English and history school teacher. He also thoroughly enjoyed sports and coached boys baseball and basketball as well as girls softball for many years. He was an avid golfer throughout his life and was known as "The Godfather" to his golfing companions and buddies. He devoted his life to serving others and was a key figure in organizing the Navajo Chapter of the United Way. Gilbert is survived by his wife, Johnnie Gonzalez of Snowflake; two sons, Aarron (Chalyce) Gonzales of Syracuse, Utah, and Paul (Stacy) Gonzales of Chandler; three daughters, Tara (Andrew) Press of Tempe, Dorina Gonzales of Cottonwood and Tricia Gonzales of Tempe; brother Richard "Dickie" Gonzales of Las Vegas, Nev.; sister Carmen (Russ) VanNote of Phoenix; six grandchildren and four foster grandchildren. He is also survived by several of his cousins, affectionately known as the "Mod Squad." Gilbert was preceded in death by two foster children, Chico Cole and Mark Weston. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, Jan. 16, at the Snowflake Stake Center of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 175 W. 9th St., in Snowflake where visitation will begin one hour prior. Interment will follow at the R.V. "Mike" Ramsay Memorial Cemetery in Snowflake. His family has suggested memorial contributions can be made in his name to United Way, 1515 E. Cedar Ave., Suite D-1, Flagstaff, AZ 86004. Owens Livingston Mortuary of Snowflake handled arrangements. For those who have special memories and would like to send private condolences or sign an online guest book, visit www.owenslivingstonmortuary.com.