Herman Perez Gonzales

Herman was born May 30, 1939 at Hermann Hospital in Houston, Tx to the late Cayetano Lerma Gonzalez and Maria Ventura Perez Gonzalez. He was one of 11 children. He is preceded in death by his siblings Joe P. Gonzales, Esperanza Matamoros, Carmen Gonzales, Herman Gonzales, Filemon P. Gonzales, Jesus Gonzales and Israel P. Gonzales. He attended Franklin Elementary, Edison Junior High and Milby High School. He graduated from the University of Houston.

Herman married Mary Gloria Coronado and two children were born from this union. Herman and Mary Gloria were married on December 27, 1959 in Houston, Texas. They were married 59 years.

He served 4 years in the US Navy and 25 years in the reserves including US Coast Guard and US Air Force.

Herman entered the Houston Fire Department in 1963 and promoted through the ranks to District Chief. In the early 1980’s he was assigned to Station 26/B. Fire Chief Robert Clayton appointed District Chief Gonzales to Assistant Chief where he remained for almost 3 years. Subsequently, District Chief Gonzales was assigned to Station20/B, in the Magnolia Park neighborhood where he grew up and worked until he retired in 2005. Herman loved being a member of the Houston Fire Department and had a passion for nurturing the younger firefighters and motivating them to study for promotions! Herman served 42 years in the Houston Fire Department.

He was also active in the community serving in many areas including President of the Skyscraper Shadows Civic Club for many years. Herman loved to do many things including spending time with family and friends, exercising at the gym and working around the house. He enjoyed going to San Augustine in the East Texas area where he built a home to enjoy the outdoors.

He is survived by wife, Mary Gloria Gonzales, sons Herman P. Gonzales and fiancée Inga Fair, Lee M. Gonzales and grandson Christian N. Gonzales. He is also survived by siblings Dora Williams, Belen Villarreal and Eddie Gonzales.

The Gonzales family would like to thank caretakers Carla Reyes, Debbie Ramos and Lily Rivera for their assistance.

The Gonzales family would also like to thank everyone for the prayers, cards and words of encouragement that were extended.

The family will receive friends from 5:00pm- 9:00pm, with a rosary at 7:00pm, on Thursday, December 19, 2019 at Forest Park Lawndale Funeral Home. The funeral service will begin at 11:00am, on Friday, December 20, 2019 at Forest Park Lawndale Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery.