Pablo Fuentes Gonzales

Pablo Fuentes Gonzales peacefully passed from this world on Sunday, October 22 2023 surrounded by his family.  He was born on February 22, 1940 in Ft. Davis, Texas to Esequiel & Ramona Gonzales.  After moving to Pecos in the late 50’s, he attended Pecos High School, he then met the love of his life, Elisa Madrid who was residing in New Mexico at the time.  He was so smitten with her that he bought a plot of land and had a home built, asked for her hand in marriage and married Elisa on June 23, 1963 at Santa Rosa Catholic Church where they were the first Cursillista couple. They lived a happy fulfilling life for 27 years along with their children and many of their children's friends.

On August 30, 1990, he lost the love of his life and was devastated however he managed to put his life together and on June of 1996, he married Elma Garcia and he built a life with her and her 4 daughters and remained with her until her passing on November of 2021; 

Pablo was a servant of the Pecos Community in various ways, in the early 70’s, he coached little league for several years and is still remembered today as a kind & patient man.  In the 80’s, he served as a volunteer EMT with the Pecos Volunteer Fire Department and worked diligently and compassionately for the many accidents and emergencies he attended.  The 90’s brought a new life after he retired from Enron, he worked for the Pecos Barstow Toyah Independent School Transportation where he safely drove many athletes, band members, and students to their competitions.  In the 2000’s, he took on the honor of driving Bus #26, and “his kids” as he lovingly referred to children with health impairments. He loved his new bus route and he advocated fiercely for his kids safety and comfort.  He was always thinking of ways to bring joy into their lives and started sponsoring a pizza night for his kids and their families.  He would make all the plans with Pizza Hut managers and invite his kids and family all in order for them to hang out with their friends.  When he saw how they reacted to this, he started making it an annual event, by going and looking for sponsors, and he was always met with a resounding, excited YES by the Pecos Community. Soon the years caught up to him and he had to retire where he got to enjoy singing in the church choir, playing his accordion and singing with Elma, and having breakfast at “el parquecito” with their friends.

Being a biological father to 8 he was also called a mentor and father-figure by many of his children's friends.  He, along with his sons, took on a project that many did not believe would work; they built the world's first 3-wheeler hydraulic lifting lowrider bike.  He was very proud of the project and spoke about it even until his death. He was an involved parent that took the time to work on projects with his children and was always there to cheer them on and encourage them to try new endeavors; 

Pablo was also fondly remembered as having many an adage as was presented at his 80th Birthday roast, with the favorite being - I can do anything, the impossible just takes me a little longer - and prove it he did.  He was always a positive thinker and an innovator.  There was always some invention going on with Pablo.

Pablo was also a member of Santa Rosa Catholic Church where he belonged to several church organizations like the Sacred Heart Society, the Cursillistas, Santo Nombre.  He also formed the first Men’s Choir and was very active for many years.  He was also a member of the Charro Association and helped build many beautiful floats for the Church parades.  Up until 2021, he was also a member of el coro de Enriquetta Prieto and sang and co-wrote many songs with Elma that are still sung today during Holy Mass.  

Pablo was preceded in death by his love, Elisa Gonzales, 2 children Norma & Gabriel; His parents & 2 brothers, Felix & Francisco & several nieces & nephews, as well as his 2nd wife Elma. He is lovingly remembered by his children and their spouses, Harvey & Kim Gonzales of Pecos, Tony & Sonia Gonzales of Grand Prairie, Mary Gonzales, Raul & Melissa Gonzales, Danny & Mari Gonzales, Sonii Gonzales, his daughter in law, Liz & Victor Fierro, and Robert & Desirae Gonzales all of Odessa;  He is also survived by Elma’s 4 daughters, Lisa Lori Cecy and Leslie and their spouses & children;  And is survived by his sister, Socorro and her spouse Albert Vasquez of Tucson AZ and several nieces and nephews. He is also fondly remembered and loved by many of Elisa's nieces and nephews and his in laws as well.  21 grand children proudly call him grandpa or gramps and he was blessed to meet his 10 of his 11 great grandchildren.  

Service for Pablo entrusted to Pecos Funeral Home

Visitation for Pablo will be held on Thursday, October 26, 2023 from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm with a Holy Rosary to be recited at 7:00 pm at Pecos Funeral Home.

Funeral Mass will be Celebrated for Pablo on Friday, October 27, 2023 at 10:00 am at Santa Rosa De Lima Catholic Church with Burial to follow at Mt. Evergreen Cemetery,

Pallbearer will be his grandsons: Brandon, Stephen, Daniel, Michael, Victor III, AJ, Aiden and Markus & Alex; 

Serving as Auxiliary Pallbearers will be John-Paul, Jacob, Nathan.  

Honorary Pallbearers are Arturo Granado, Adan Molinar, Abel Molinar, Noe Salazar, Sam Anchondo, Richard Lara, Jeremy Lara.

The family of Pablo would like to thank the many family members, friends, church families who inquired about, called and/or visited during those trying times.  To Bea and the Juarez family of Barstow who always took the time to visit with him at the nursing home, Enriquetta Prieto who made time to go by and visit and take him food and countless others who were not known at the time but were mentioned by my father at one time or another - THANK YOU! 

We thank you for the many many prayers from friends, family and Facebook friends, we are forever grateful and we are indeed blessed to have such awesome people in our lives.