Earl J. Gonzales

A member of the "Greatest Generation," Earl Gonzales was only seven years of age when the stock market crashed in 1929. He and his two brothers; Ferdinand and Max, joined the Louisiana National Guard in 1938 and so were called to active duty in 1940 and thus "extended for the duration" of the Second World War. During WWII Earl and his two brothers served together in the same Battery of the 935 FA Bn through combat in North Africa, Sicily, Italy, Southern France, and Germany. Earl and his family moved to Oklahoma City in 1967 where he established a successful upholstery and furniture design business. Earl's wife of 22 years, Christine, an Oklahoma native, passed away the following year leaving Earl to raise their two children, Tammy, age 11, and Mike, age 14. Earl lived to see his children grow up, his son having had a successful career in the US Army, and become curator of the 45th Infantry Division Museum. His daughter has enjoyed a long career with Integris Health in Oklahoma City. Earl lived to see his grandchildren and his great grandchildren come into the world. Earl was preceded in death by his two brothers; Maximillian and Ferdinand, his sister Juanita, and his wife Christine. Earl is survived by his son, Mike, his wife Katie, their son Max and daughter Christine Messick, and her husband Lee, and also by his daughter, Tammy Stephens, her son Cory, his wife Nicole, and their children Braiden and Tatum. The family asks that in lieu of flowers that donations be made either to Oklahoma's own 45th Infantry Division Museum, or the American Cancer society. Memorial services will be 10 a.m. Thursday, 26 March at Smith & Kernke Funeral Home located at 14624 N. May Ave., OKC, OK. Earl's earthly remains will be laid to rest among his fellow veterans at the National Cemetery at Fort Gibson, Oklahoma.