Reynaldo S. Gonzalez Obituary (1948

Our brother, Reynaldo (Rey) S. Gonzalez of Harrah, Washington went to be with our Lord and Savior on November 3, 2018 at Prestige Care-Parkside in Union Gap, WA. Rey was born in Tahoka, Texas on November 11, 1948 to Antonio G. Gonzalez and Juanita Salinas-Gonzalez the second oldest of seven children. As a young child he migrated with the family from Bishop, Texas to the Yakima Valley where his parents worked as migrant farm workers. In 1956, the family permanently settled in the Yakima Valley near Harrah where his parents continued working as migrant farm workers. Rey attended school in White Swan at Robertson Elementary and White Swan Junior High and High School. In his youth, while attending school he worked with his parents as a farm worker in the Harrah area. In 1964, at age 16, he dropped out of high school to work with his father who had begun farming. Rey worked with his father and his older brother, Andy, until he joined the Army National Guard on October 17, 1969 with youth friends, Bernie Gamache and Dennis Balch. He trained in Fort Ord, California before returning to Yakima where he was stationed at the Yakima Firing Center. Rey was trained as a diesel mechanic and worked repairing military vehicles and tanks during war exercises at the Firing Center. During his service, he completed his General Education Diploma (GED). On June 12, 1972, he was honorably discharged. In 1970, he was involved in a motorcycle accident where he lost his right arm. Rey persevered and overcame his disability and resumed farming with his father. Early in his career, Rey raised sugar beets, corn, wheat, mint, and barley. He also participated in his former high school FFA supporting his two younger brothers. In 1981, he was forced to sell the farm due to a struggling economy and enrolled at Heritage College in Toppenish. In 1985, he graduated with his Bachelor of Arts in social work while also satisfying his high school credit requirements. He participated with his niece at his former high school commencement. In 1991, he married Catalina Gomez of Toppenish, Washington and they divorced in 2014. Rey embarked on the second half of his career working for Migrant Head Start programs in Yakima and also working for the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) in Mount Vernon, Washington. Later, he joined his younger brother, Roy in corrections. He worked for the Washington State Department of Corrections for 12 years while obtaining his Master's Degree in social work from Heritage College. He left corrections to work for DSHS once again, this time as a social worker. Later, Rey left DSHS to begin his own private practice contracting with DSHS Children and Family Services in Grant County and the Catholic Family Dioceses. He worked as a family therapist for five years before retiring at age 64. Rey was a devout Christian and was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church of Yakima and was proud to serve in the Washington National Guard. He moved to Robstown, Texas in 2014 and while there, crossed into Mexico helping the impoverished in the bordered communities. He returned in 2016 to the Yakima Valley in Harrah, Washington. Reynaldo is survived by three brothers, three sisters, and one cousin who lived with the family as a member; Indalecio (Andy) Gonzalez and wife, Elivia of Brownstown; Cristela (Cris) Gonzalez of Kennewick, Oralia (Lollie) Castillo and husband, Ernesto of Terrace Heights; Juanita (Jennie) Larez and husband, Tom of Harrah; Israel (Roy) Gonzalez of Tumwater; and Antonio (Tony) Gonzalez and wife, Linda of Clarkston; cousin, Francisco (Frank) Garza and wife, Anne; nine nephews and three nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents. Viewing will be on Thursday, November 8, 2018 from 2-7pm at Brookside Funeral Home (500 W. Prospect, Moxee, WA 98936), with a recitation of the Rosary starting at 4pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, November 9, 2018 at 4pm at Saint Joseph's Catholic Church (212 N 4th St, Yakima, WA 98901) with a reception to follow at Gardner Hall (204 S. 46th Ave, Yakima, WA 98908). SERVICES Funeral service Friday, November 09, 2018 4:00 PM St. Joseph's Catholic Church ,