Esau Gonzales

Panhandle Services for Staff Sgt. Esau Shalem Atanacio Gonzales, 30, will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the 1st Baptist Church in Panhandle with Pastor Joe Zimmerman officiating. A Funeral Mass will be held at 3:00 p.m. Tuesday at St. Theresa Catholic Church also in Panhandle. Full Military Graveside Honors will follow the service on Wednesday in the Panhandle Cemetery under the direction of MintonChatwell Funeral Directors of Panhandle.

Sgt. Gonzales was killed Monday May 3, 2010 in Mosul, Iraq. He attended Trinity Fellowship in Amarillo when he was home and was a lifetime resident of Panhandle.

Esau started out his journey on earth as a charmer and as his life progressed his charm grew and grew. He was very gifted and accomplished success in every aspect of his life. No matter what he did he gave his all. He was funny, witty, ornery and mischievous. Life never had a dull moment with hime around. Although he was the life of the party and everyone spoiled him, he wasnt spoiled and he wasnt an attention hog, people just migrated around him to hear him laugh and to see him smile. He was everyones best friend, or brother.

He was extremely special, an old soul and a small town Mamas boy. He was a creative daddy and uncle who would make waterparks in the backyard. He was a dedicated father who knew how to be a kid and whose children adored him.

He was a sensitive and thoughtful son, soninlaw, and brother. He was sentimental and would talk often about people and memories, but he didnt gossip, it was always the good stuff. he kept in touch with friends, some since his early childhood. He loved music, reading historical books, watching funny movies and collecting coins. As a husband he sacrificed his comfort to allow his wife to stay at home with their children. He was the best hugger and no matter how hard you tried, those puppy dog eyes would keep you from holding anything against him.

He loved to work or cars, ride motorcycles, and skateboard. he would bless his family on Sabbath Eve, and loved the stories of the mighty men of the Bible.

Staff Sgt. Gonzales was a proud and dutiful, yet humble. He was dedicated to his country and was awarded Army Commendation Medal, Posthumous Army Achievement Medal, 3 Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal Army Good Conduct Medal National Defense Service Medal Iraq Campaign Medal w Bronze Service Star Global War on Terrorism Service Medal Armed Forces Reserve Medal M Device NonCommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon Navy Sea Service Development Ribbon and several other ribbons and awards.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents Atanacio Gustamantes Gonzales, Edubijen Flores Gonzales, Wallace Clyde Lanier and Millie Sue Lanier.

Sgt. Gonzales was dedicated to his family and is survived by his wife Melissa, his daughter Ava Gonzales and son Samuel Gonzales all of the home in Walthourville, GA, his father Atanacio Gonzales, his mother Sandra Lanier, sister Sara and stepbrother Moses all of Panhandle, Tx. He was a great protector of his older sister Sue Ann Gray who now lives in Alvarado, TX. He is also survived by Melissas parents Becky and Darrell Mason of Laurel, De and Grandmothers Lena Smullen and Kathryn Mason both of Salisbury, MD.

Casket bearers will be Mac McGregor, Atanacio Gonzales, John David Gilbreth, Coty Ross Lofink, Matt Kalka, Jared McCoid, Kip Jackson and Butch Heck. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Panhandle VFW Post.

Although on May 3, 2010 Esaus life on earth ended, his life in Heaven has begun. He is loved very much and will never be forgotten. He was one big puzzle who everyone had a piece of but the finished product is starting to come into focus yet a whole thesaurous couldnt put him into words.

Visitation will be Tuesday from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Funeral Home.

Visitation

Minton Chatwell Funeral Directors
510 N. Main St.
Panhandle, TX  79068
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.

Service

Funeral Service

First Baptist Church of Panhandle
701 Main St.
Panhandle, TX  79068
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
10:30 a.m.

Funeral Mass

St. Theresas Catholic Church
FM 293 and Hwy 60
Panhandle, TX  79068
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
3:00 p.m.

Cemetery

Panhandle Cemetery
East 6th. Street
Panhandle, TX  79068