Obituaries: Raymond John Gonsalez

Raymond John Gonsalez, 83, passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2016, at his Rocky Boy residence of natural causes. Wake services will begin at 5 p.m.,on Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2016, and will continue until his funeral service, which will be at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 14, 2016, at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church with Father Pete Guthneck officiating. Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements. Please visit Raymond's online memorial page and leave a message of condolence for his family at http://www.hollandbonine.com.

Raymond was born on April 16, 1932, in Great Falls to Leo and Rose (LaPierre) Gonsalez. He was raised in Great Falls. Following graduation, Raymond entered the U.S. Air Force, and served in all four branches of the military, with his final honorable discharge issued in 1963. He returned home, and in October 1964, he married Linda Whitford in Alberta, Canada.  For a few years, the couple lived in Babb, Montana, but relocated to Rocky Boy in 1979, remaining there until Raymond's death. Raymond worked for many years as a heavy equipment operator and carpenter. He enjoyed playing his guitar, team roping and hunting.

Raymond was preceded in death by his daughter, Stacey Gonsalez; his parents, Leo and Rose Gonsalez; his brothers, Marvin Gonzales and Archie Villarreal; and his sisters, Marlene Komiotis, Delores Minyard, Janie Staats, Delphine McGregor and Minerva Trotchie.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Linda Gonsalez of Rocky Boy; his daughters, Zoe Bersey of Cornwall, England, Zena Tarasena of San Bruno, California, Jamie Gonsalez of Rocky Boy and Kodi Owens of Artesia, New Mexico; his 16 grandchildren; his 12 great-grandchildren; his sister, Roberta Salterain of Utah; his brother, Albert Gonsalez and Thomas Villareal, both of Great Falls; and numerous beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and other extended family and friends.