Julio Cesar Gonzalez Sr.

Julio Cesar Gonzalez, Sr.Loving husband, father and grandfather. Born on August 10, 1940 to Jose Gonzalez Castillo and Victoria de la Rosa Garcia in H. Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico. Died on April 15, 2011. He is survived by his wife of 46 years, the love of his life, Amparo Fuentes Gonzalez; his sons, Julio Cesar Gonzalez, Jr. and his wife Laura, and Luis Alonso Gonzalez and his wife Blanca; his daughter, Perla Dinorah Couture and her husband Larry, and his four grandsons, Chase Alexander Morgan, Aidan Eduardo Couture, Julio Cesar Gonzalez III, and Carlos Javier Gonzalez. He is further survived by two brothers and one sister, and numerous extended families. The family will receive guests at Hahn-Cook on Monday from 6-8p.m. Services to be held at 2:00p.m., on Tuesday, April 19, 2011, at the Hahn-Cook/Street & Draper Chapel.He was the youngest of eight children, born at home above his father's bakery. From very young he learned to appreciate and enjoy life to the fullest. He and his older brothers all learned how to bake from the best. His father taught them the value of hard work and determination. When the family fell on hard times, they stood united and faced everything together. He had a lot of great memories from his happy childhood.He met the love of his life, Amparo, on November 20, 1958 at her cousin's quincea?era. After six years they married on July 14, 1964. He wanted to provide a better future for her and their family and decided to make his way to the United States. He and his friends made the trip twice, trying to make it to Chicago, IL, but both times ending up in Oklahoma City, OK. They decided to make it home. He planned on bringing the family with him when he had established himself and had saved enough money. However, a hurricane changed the plans. After the birth of their second child, he brought his family to what was to become their home. He and his wife raised their three children on the house on Eubanks, where his wife continues to live. When he first arrived in Oklahoma City, he worked at "El Charrito." Later he started working at "Tony's Via Roma" under the tutelage of Tony Lazzara, where he learned the culinary art of Italian cuisine. This led him to continue in the culinary field, where he achieved the level of Certified Executive Chef. He worked at Tony's for over 30 years. He loved to cook; his specialty was Italian cuisine, with lasagna and garlic bread being his favorites. He fulfilled his dream to run his own restaurant; "La Villa Mexicana," where he was able to share his Mexican cuisine. This was a family business, and everyone worked there. He passed on the value of hard work and determination to his own children. After leaving Tony's he worked at various places, including catering, a retirement home, a country club, a car rental agency, a community college and finally at the University of Central Oklahoma. He enjoyed creating new and tasty dishes to share. He loved having his family around, always enjoying good food and great company. He loved visiting family and spending time with them. He had a large extended family and was well-loved and respected by all of them. He loved telling stories of his childhood, with some elaboration, of course. Most of the time they spent time at the kitchen table talking about the next meal, eating delicious food and enjoying time with family. He always had projects at home and was also always willing to help his children with their respective projects, from plumbing to electrical to fence-building to laying tile to you-name-it, he did it. There was never a challenge he couldn't conquer or a task that was impossible. As most men do, he loved his tools. When he had a new tool, he was anxious to use it and wasn't satisfied until he mastered it. He was generous with his talent, his time, his energy. He was extremely proud of his children, including his daughters-in-law and son-in-law, whom he considered his children as well. He wanted a better life for them, and he felt that he had achieved this. He was always available to hear their problems and give advice. More than wanting them to succeed, he wanted them to be responsible, productive people. But above all things, he wanted them to be happy, and he knew in his heart that they were.He dearly loved his grandchildren, and they loved him, calling him, affectionately, "Welo." They knew he would come to their rescue. He loved hearing stories of their latest antics and accomplishments. He was proud of his grandchildren. He enjoyed taking them out to eat or to the store or to help him with his handyman tasks, instilling in them the same value of hard work and determination he instilled in his children.He loved his wife. They spent 52 beautiful years together, they knew each other well. They took good care of each other. They had good times and bad times, but they especially had great times. They lived a wonderful life together. They were always holding hands. They truly enjoyed each other's company. They loved to talk, laugh, dance and travel. He never forgot those special dates and sent her flowers, cards and gifts. He was logical and didn't like wasting his time on the small stuff. Although he was not a confrontational person, he stood up for what was right and never backed down from a fight. He loved to hear the laughter of everyone around him; that's why he always had a repertoire of jokes. He was a loyal friend, always willing to help those in need and comforting them. He loved music, especially ballads. He loved to dance, and he was a wonderful dancer. He was a true romantic at heart. He loved to read. He loved movies, with action and mystery being his favorites. He always watched the news; he wanted to know what was going on, not only locally but around the world. He loved looking at old photographs, which brought back many fond moments and memories. In short, he loved life and enjoyed it to the fullest. Many of us have learned something from this great man. He would want us to smile when we remember him, so let us never forget this accomplished man. May he always live in our hearts. Arrangements under the direction of Hahn-Cook/Street & Draper Funeral Directors, Oklahoma City, OK.