Obituary of Joseph Gonsalez

Joseph H. Gonsalez, 66, passed away on Saturday, October 29, 2011. He was raised in Bayard, Nebraska, and was an outstanding athlete for the Bayard Tigers, where he excelled at pole-vaulting, track & field and basketball. After high school, he joined the U.S. Navy where he served 2 tours in Vietnam. After his years of military service he relocated to Reno, Nevada and lived there for 35 years before retiring to Columbia, S.C. He was a huge Nebraska Cornhusker fan and loved working in his yard and spending time with his family. He is predeceased by his birth mother Velen Miramontes, who passed away when he was 3 years old, and by his beloved mother Dominga Gonsalez. He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Katherine Gonsalez; his father, Henry Gonsalez of Bayard, Neb.; 6 sons (Sean, Shannon, Joseph Szoke, Daniel Szoke, Jason Szoke); 4 daughters (Chantel Brand, Donna Cook, Rosemarie Brown, Crystal Wilson); 21 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; and numerous other friends and family members. A graveside service with military honors for Mr. Gonsalez will be held 3:00 p.m. Friday, November 4, 2011 at Fort Jackson National Cemetery, 4170 Percival Road Columbia, SC 29229. Visitation will be Friday from 12 noon to 2pm at Greenlawn Funeral Home, 845 Leesburg Road Columbia, SC 29209. Greenlawn Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.