Larry Charles Gonzales

Larry was born in Houston, Texas, on July 15, 1938, to Larry and Benita Gonzales. He spent almost all of his life in Houston except for one year, which was spent in San Diego, California. He attended school in the Houston Heights area including Reagan High School. He worked various jobs growing up and was a carpenter for several years working on houses in the Houston Memorial area before starting with Dresser Industries in 1967. He worked for Dresser Industries/Cooper Industries for 36 years, retiring in 2003. He was never late for work and missed only a handful of days during his 36 years of service.

Larry met his wife, Carolyn Sue Bergman in August 1958, at a dance at Love Park in Houston Heights. They were married September 5, 1959. Together they enjoyed going to football and basketball games, especially University of Houston; NASCAR racing; and summer vacations to Florida, Hawaii, and the Bahamas. He loved Disney World, snorkeling, photography, designing and building things, cooking amazing food, and he was an avid reader of magazines and newspapers. He could shop for hours at a time and loved spending time with his daughters and grandchildren.

He leaves behind his wife of 55 years, Carolyn Sue Gonzales; daughter Melanie Campbell and husband, Steven; daughter Tamara Young and husband, Mark; daughter Kelly Lohse and husband, Fred; daughter Tanya Gumkowski and husband, Vincent; brothers James and John Gonzales; grandchildren: Genesis L. Johnson, S. Malachi Campbell, Jordan R. Campbell, Mark B. Young II, Larry T. Young, Breehannah R. Young, Jacob H. Lohse, Kyle R. Lohse, Julia R. Lohse, Aidan C. Gumkowski, and Ian E. Gumkowski; great-grandchildren: Ashton and Aylah Godfrey; special niece Monica Brown; long-time friend James (Bo) Lilly; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Larry and Benita Gonzales; brother Robert Gonzales; sister Benita Willey; niece Robyn Bishop; and many close aunts and uncles.

Memorial Contributions may be made to Autism Speaks, Autism Research Institute, or The Organization for Artificial Reefs.

A time for fellowship and food will take place after the funeral services at the home of Kelly and Fred Lohse, 1328 Romero Dr., Pearland, TX 77581.