Rev. Jose “Joe/Pepe” S.M. Gonzalez of Prosper, Texas went to be with our Lord on June 10, 2018 at the age of 74. He was born on March 18, 1944 to Alfredo and Inocencia (San Miguel) Gonzalez in Weslaco, Texas.
Joe’s parents and his 12 brothers & sisters were migrant workers doing field work, going as far North as Indiana, Michigan, & Ohio while harvesting jalapenos, cabbages, & bell peppers. Then South to Florida where they would pick oranges, tomatoes and broccoli, on to Alabama and then back home to Texas…where they worked the cotton fields.
By the time Joe completed Middle School, he was ready to go out on his own. He told his father he didn’t like migrant work then off he went…to California. At the tender age of 15, he didn’t last long—he returned home for a few years but then, decided to head North…to the big city of Dallas yet settled in Prosper Texas.
Prosper brought many life changes to Joe’s life:
Maria Elena Robles
Working for Mahard Egg Farm and
Accepting Jesus Christ as his Savior.
It was really his second encounter with Miss. Maria Elena Robles who was working as an Egg Check Girl at Mahard Egg Co. Though they both grew up in the Valley and knew of each other, they really didn’t take a shine to one another until each of them had found their way up to Prosper. She was 20 and he was 19 years old. Joe was a bit shy & he admired her from afar, but eventually, she noticed. They fell in love, and soon, just after 3 months of courting, they decided to get married and eloped on 8/12/1963. They knew that to have a successful marriage, God would be leading their household & each of them made sure they had a praying home. They moved to Krum, back to the Valley, then off to Florida for 13 months. But in the end, they came back to Prosper, where their family home still stands. First born, Judy Grace came along in 1964, Joe Jr in 1966, Vivianna in 1968, Mireya in 1970…four children..6 yrs and under —all before the age of 30. Then, in 1985, Adrianna made her debut.
During this same time, his second life change was meeting & working for Ernest A. “Sonny” & Helen Mahard at Mahard Egg Co as a truck driver delivering eggs. His tenure lasted a little over 34 years where he flourished, going from Driver to Foreman. During these years, he was being armed with skills of leadership and counseling which complimented his innate compassion for others. It was also during this time that the most impactful effect on his life happened…he accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord & Savior and began his journey in ministry in 1974 as Co Pastor at Buenas Nuevas/Good News Church of Frisco, Texas. Joe completed his Bachelor of Ministry in 1993 and went on to receive a Doctor of Philosophy in June 2003.
Overall, after 34 years, Joe retired from Mahard Egg Co. In 1995, he became the full time Senior Pastor in the very church he and Maria helped build and grow and later, in 2001, he was appointed by the UPLCII Executive Committee as the Permanent Pastor of Buenas Nuevas.
During these developmental years, Joe was a tireless servant. He established programs, charities, raised money, was an advocate to those misguided and in need of Hope, all with the mission of spreading God’s love and compassion. His Missions Outreach of the Word ministry was so blessed as he received tremendous local, regional, and even international support which allowed the ministry to reach corners of the world that continues to this very day. From the United States, down to Mexico and South America, across to Africa & Pakistan…even as far reaching as Israel & the Middle East. Joe’s determined efforts and anointed word spread God’s love to those who never would have had the opportunity to receive such good news. With his gleaming smile, tender-hearted spirit, and selfless nature, Joe attracted lifelong friendships that were made along the way. In 2007, he retired from his Pastorship; however; this did not close his ministry.
Joe was a true servant of God who had a gentle and kind air about him that radiated all the characteristics of a shepherd watching and caring over his flock. Even throughout the last 12 years, Joe continued to advise and counsel thousands of those in need throughout his life. With his profound wisdom, his words will be forever guarded in our hearts.
Rev. Gonzalez is survived by his wife, Maria Elena Gonzalez of Prosper, Texas; children, Judy Grace Gonzalez Brummett and husband, James “Jim” Brummett of Bentonville, Arkansas, Jose “Joe” Gonzalez, Jr. and wife, Diana Carmona-Gonzalez of Dallas, Texas, Vivian Gonzalez of Garland, Texas, Mireya Gonzalez Hawthorne and husband, Dr. Robert Hawthorne of Dallas, Texas and Adrianna “Princess” Gonzalez Garcia and husband, Vincent Garcia of Dallas, Texas; grandchildren, James Andrew Brummett, Luke Derek Womble, Jared Parker Womble, Hannah Grace Womble, Kathlynn Rae Hawthorne, Andrew Trapp Hawthorne, Leah Elizabeth Hawthorne and Saraie Garcia; great-grandchildren, Easton James Brummett, Nathan Parker Womble, Payton Alexander Womble, Reese Elynn Womble and Colton Jax Womble; brothers, Apolonio “Polo” Gonzalez of Denton, Texas, Jesus “Jesse” Gonzalez of Elsa, Texas, Reynaldo “Ray” Gonzalez of Denton, Texas and Ernesto “Ernie” Gonzalez of Lewisville, Texas; sisters, Amelia “Melia” Avila of San Antonio, Texas and Matilda “Lali” Gonzalez of Idaho; and numerous other loving family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Alfredo and Inocencia Gonzalez; sister, Maria De La Luz Dodson; and brothers, Alfredo “Chore” Gonzalez and Juan Gonzales.
A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, June 14, 2018 at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home Chapel, 2525 Central Expressway North, Allen, Texas 75013. Interment will follow at Ridgeview Memorial Park in Allen.
The family will receive and encourage friends to attend the visitation on Wednesday evening from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. at the funeral home.