Rosa Kim Gonzales

Rosa Kim Gonzales, age 77, was called by our Lord on March 5, 2012, at St. David's Georgetown Hospital, surrounded by her loving family. From her birth in Kyongsangnamdo, South Korea, on September 22, 1934 to her death, she nourished people around her with love and faith. She was born to Kim II Weon and Kim Tae Myong and was the eldest of two children.

Rosa married Albert P. Gonzales on June 5, 1952 at Our Lady of the Light Catholic Church in Soul, Korea. Mrs. Gonzales and her husband moved to various posts on military assignments, as their family grew, to include Fort Bragg, NC; Monterey, CA; Albuquerque, NM; and Fort Bliss, TX.

She was one of the first Korean War brides to arrive in Killeen, TX in August 1959, where she made her home. She encountered severe cultural shock when she found no Korean cuisine or ingredients to cook Korean dishes. Mrs. Gonzales and her husband would travel to Waco and Temple, TX to eat Chinese food.

Mrs. Gonzales was well loved in the community and always had a smile on her face. Mrs. Gonzales supported her husband in every endeavor he undertook. Her husband, a Korean linguist and military intelligence interrogator, was assigned to many unaccompanied overseas tour of duties, while Mrs. Gonzales remained in Killeen to raise her children. Mrs. Gonzales took great pride in her role as a wife to Albert and mother to her six children, all graduates of Killeen Independent School District and who continued on to higher education.

Mrs. Gonzales is survived by her husband Albert P. Gonzales of Killeen, Texas. Left to honor Rosa and remember her love are Rosa's six children, Alex (Cheryl) Gonzales, Anna (Rick) Dunn, Albert (Brenda) Gonzales II, Ambrose (Rose) Gonzales, Angela (Mike) Balfe, and Anthony (Annette) Gonzales; thirteen grandchildren; Ryan Gonzales, Rachel Gonzales, Robert (Whitnee) Dunn, Kimberly (Lou) Palomo, Ricky Dunn, Jonathan Gonzales, Daniel Gonzales, Michael Gonzales, Christina (Brady) McBride, Michelle (Justin) Balfe, Michael Balfe, Kevin Gonzales, Kyle Gonzales; five great-grandchildren: Riley, Reece, Cogan, Paloma and Aryanna; a sister Kim Ung Ja, of Inchon, South Korea, brother-in-law Manuel H. Gonzales of Albuquerque, NM, and many nieces and nephews. Rosa was preceded in death by her parents and grandchild Mary Elizabeth.

Rosa will be remembered as a bright, guiding light in the Killeen community she served. The Gonzales family will receive guests for a time of visitation on Sunday, March 11, 2012 at 6pm, followed by a Rosary service at 7pm at St. Joseph Catholic Church. A mass celebration of life will be held on Monday, March 12, 2012 at St. Joseph Catholic Church beginning at 12:30pm with Father Adam Martinez officiating. Burial will follow at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery.

Arrangements under the direction of Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home in Killeen.