Abel Vargas Gonzalez

When someone is identified as a natural leader, certain images come to mind. First thoughts are of a no-nonsense, tough-minded, dedicated and disciplined person. This description accurately fits Abel Vargas Gonzalez who was indeed a born manager. He will be remembered as being highly organized, practical and realistic. He was a person who always carried a strong sense of duty with him throughout his life. Possessed with traditional “old school” morals, Abel was an individual who clearly communicated to those around him just who he was and what he was all about. Everyone acquainted with Abel knew him as a well-respected man who was a stable force in his community.

Abel was born on April 6, 1954 in Valparaiso, Zacatecas, Mexico. His parents were Timoteo Gonzalez and Soledad Vargas. Abel was raised in Valparaiso, Zacatecas, Mexico. Even as a youngster, Abel learned to be objective and decisive. His faith in the principles of authority and dependability was something that he carried with him throughout his life.

As a young boy, Abel was able to put his natural abilities to work. He was a bit like the sergeant of the family, helping to make sure that the others did what they should do and that they avoided those things they weren’t supposed to. In other words, he liked to organize and direct. Abel was raised with three siblings. He had an older sister, Isabel, an older brother, Jose, and a younger brother, Francisco. Abel had an inborn appreciation for the order in the family, allowing for the oldest members to be the most respected and to take on the most responsibility. For Abel, this was a natural order of life, one he gladly embraced.

Abel's matter-of-fact attitude about most things was developed during his childhood. As a young boy, Abel enjoyed being part of teams, and organizations and groups of other kids who shared similar interests. Abel took part in soccer and swimming. In his spare time he loved playing with different sports and socializing with his friends.

In school, Abel was as close to being a model student as one could possibly imagine. He sought to achieve perfect attendance in all of his classes. He would eagerly complete his homework, and often put in extra study time when he felt it was necessary. A logical and focused thinker, Abel was always good at following directions and meeting his schedules, whether they were set by his teachers or were self-imposed. Abel’s personal motto could well have been, “Do it right the first time.” He graduated from Lincoln High School in Los Angeles, California in 1976. He enjoyed some courses more than others, having favorite classes and teachers. His favorite class in high school was Math.

Abel’s practical work ethic carried over into his college years. His logical mind permitted him to work hard without succumbing to the usual distractions of college life. He would tackle an assignment and work through it before moving onto the next project. Abel’s orderly nature gave way to establishing personal study habits and procedures that not only helped him stay on track but often put him ahead of schedule. When Abel saw the need or benefit, he would willingly take on the extra assignment or even attend extra classes in order to learn more and become a better student. He attended a trade school in air-conditioning and sheet metal and graduated in 1982 from the San Jose Vocational Center. He also graduated in 1986 from the Los Angeles National School with a certificate in refrigeration and air-conditioning.

Abel was sociable and approachable. Because he was always so straightforward in how he approached relationships, friends and family knew that what they saw was always what they got. He enjoyed the camaraderie of being with a group of friends. When Abel was a member of a group, his interaction worked to keep the others grounded. He wasn’t afraid to confront his friends and, when necessary, he challenged them to stick to the task at hand. Those close to Abel came to expect his high standards of performance. While growing up, some of his best friends were Fernando Panuco, Ismael Banuelos, Arnulfo Flores, Luis Dorado, Ignacio Saucedo, Jesus Robles, Amador Santa Cruz, Edecio Madera, Martin Rivas, Jaime Ortiz and many more. Later in life, he became friends with Hans Ruehr, Leonard and Edna Megia, Martha and Jose Luis Herrera, Felipe and Patricia Morales, Willie and Molly Wong, Mario and Martha Cendejas, Carlos and Carmen Anderson, Juan Jose and Erika Diaz and many more.

An objective and conscientious individual, Abel reveled in the security of his family. On December 2, 1978 Abel exchanged wedding vows with Olga Alba at the Purisima Concepcion in Valparaiso, Zacatecas, Mexico. One of Abel’s most endearing qualities was his uncanny ability to remember important dates and anniversaries, and his unending enthusiasm for organizing a celebration for his family and friends.

Abel was ever watchful of his children. He worried about them and was deeply concerned for their development as they grew up. He maintained a firm hand in their upbringing. Abel would give his stamp of approval to their requests, as long as he could see how they might benefit. He also had the ability to enforce the rules as needed to ensure that his children were properly raised. Abel was blessed with five children, two daughters, Tina and Jessica, and three sons, Abel Jr., Ivan and Omar. He was also blessed with eight grandchildren, Alan, Yazmin, Aidan, Desira, Eztli, Caleb, Alyssa and Mila.

Being a hard worker who praised efficiency, Abel was always striving to make improvements where they were necessary. He was able to analyze situations and problems, keeping everything and everyone on track. An excellent project supervisor, Abel was a person who could quickly make decisions based on the information available. He worked cooperatively and expected the same from his colleagues. In both his personal and professional environments, Abel upheld his standards. His primary occupation was as a business owner. He owned A& I Heating and Air-Conditioning for the past 18 years. He was also employed for different HVAC companies as a journeyman and installer from 1980 to 1994 until he obtained his license in HVAC. In total, he worked for 33 years in the HVAC industry. Abel was a team player who certainly lived out the motto of “give me a job, and I will get it done.”

Abel approached his leisure time in the same manner that he approached his life. A person who enjoyed being neat and orderly and one who understood the nature of things, he appreciated the hours he was able to devote to his various hobbies. His favorite pursuits were fishing, playing the guitar, camping, and spending time with friends and family. Abel was content to enjoy his favorite pastimes alone but was also willing to share his interests with others.

Playing by the rules was a natural thing for Abel to do in life and that carried over to his enjoyment of sports. During his adult school, Abel played soccer and recreational bull fighting. During trade school, Abel continued to stay active by playing soccer. Recreational sports included fishing and swimming. He also was something of a sports fan and enjoyed watching his favorite events whenever he got the opportunity. Tops on his list were soccer, boxing and baseball.

Faith was important to Abel. He held high moral standards and was worried about the moral decay he saw around him. For that reason he held deep spiritual beliefs that he was willing to share. He was a member of Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe and Most Holy Trinity Church.

When it came time to travel or take a vacation, Abel used his scheduling expertise to make sure everyone and everything was ready to go. That also meant that he made certain no single person was overworked in putting the trip together. Abel had a knack for making sure that everyone who was involved had their specific tasks and that those tasks were completed. Favorite vacations included Canada, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, Las Vegas, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, and fishing in Maui and La Paz, Baja California.

Abel passed away on July 28, 2012 at Santa Clara Valley Medical Hospital in San Jose, California. He fought a brave battle against cancer. He is survived by his wife Olga; his children Tina, Jessica, Abel, Ivan, and Omar; and his grandchildren Alan, Yazmin, Aidan, Desira, Eztli, Caleb, Alyssa and Mila. Services were held at Oak Hill Funeral Home in San Jose, California. Abel was laid to rest in Oak Hill Memorial Park in San Jose, California.

All who knew him would agree that Abel was a pillar of the community. He lived his life with his feet firmly on the ground. He had a strong work ethic, was pragmatic in his thoughts and acts, and constantly sought the means for self-improvement. He was willing to share his ideas and knowledge for the benefit of others, so that they could accomplish more in their lives. Abel Vargas Gonzalez did his best to ensure that his family, friends, loved ones, co-workers, and everyone whose life he touched was given the chance to become a better person.