Enrique S. "Nookie" Gonzalez Jr.

1943 - 2021

Enrique S. Gonzalez, Jr. "Nookie"

Chesterfield, VA - (1943 - 2021) It is with the deepest sadness and heaviest of hearts that we announce that Enrique S. "Nookie" Gonzalez, 78, passed away March 3, 2021. He was surrounded by his loving children at his home in Chesterfield, VA.

Enrique was born in El Paso, TX on March 3, 1943, to Consuelo and Enrique González.

While at Gadsden High School, he began an athletic career which would be his lifetime passion. His high school accomplishments included: Competing in the New Mexico State Baseball Semifinals his senior year, All star his Junior and Senior years.

He was in the starting lineup, as Shortstop his Freshman year of college for New Mexico State University's Baseball team. He transferred to New Mexico Highlands University his Sophomore year and was immediately placed in their starting lineup as a second baseman where he remained for the next three years, making All Conference during his Junior and Senior years as well as being named Co-Captain of the team his Senior year with The Cowboys. Scouts for the Minnesota Twins and Cleveland Indians tried to recruit him to play professional baseball for their teams.

After graduating from New Mexico Highlands University with a Bachelors, and eventually his Masters Degrees in Education, he began teaching PE and coaching boys basketball at Tularosa Jr. High School in Tularosa, NM. He then went on to teach and coach Varsity Baseball at his beloved Gadsden High School. During his 25 year career there, he coached his team to a State Championship in 1975 AAA Baseball and was named Coach Of The Year. He also went on to coach future teams to third and fourth place in State AAAA. As well as 7 State appearances, 7 District titles, and six District runner up titles, and his team won the New Mexico Invitational Tournament in Las Cruces three times and two runner up placements as well.

He was a County Commissioner representing Dona Ana County's District 2 where he was instrumental in getting many much needed roads in the Anthony area repaired as well as helping Chaparral with road and water issues. He also helped bring ambulance services to Anthony and lighting to these communities and helped with the development of the Sheriff's Department.

Nookie was inducted into the Hall of Honor at New Mexico Highlands University in 2014 and was invited to participate in the reunion of the 1967 College World Series Champions at his Alma Matter.

The lives of many young people were impacted by Nookie's decades of service in education and coaching.

He was a man of strength, character and integrity. He had an uncanny ability to bring out the best in each and every person he encountered. He always made friends no matter where he went and always seemed to run into at least one person he knew. But, his greatest accomplishment was being a devoted father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He left a powerful and loving legacy to his grandchildren, Mark Villalobos (deceased), Michael Arellano, Matthew Arellano, Diane Escobedo, Zachary Fierst (Kyrstin), Richard Speedy, Lisa Escobedo, Josiah Gonzalez, Victoria Fierst, Jordan Henry Gonzalez, Casandra Fierst, Isabella Fierst, Sean Ortega, Kayla Ortega, Rashid Moore, Chloe Ortega, Kylin Daniel, Jaidan Daniel, Shane Ortega, Elisha Daniel, Jeremy Ta'Amai, Brielle Williams, Samuel Ortega, Daniel Enrique Gonzalez. And his Great-Grandchildren, Michael Arellano Jr., Milliana Arellano, Antione Smith, Theodore Henry Fierst and Anastasia Rose Fierst.

Those left to mourn his passing include his loving children, Sonia Alvarez of La Puente, CA, Rosalia Fierst (Jeffrey) of Santa Teresa, NM, Enrique "Pinky" Gonzalez of Phoenix, AZ, Eileen Daniel (La Quan) of Chesterfield, VA, Corine Ortega (Gilbert) of Chaparral, NM, Andrew Gonzalez of Phoenix, AZ, Joseph Henry Gonzalez (Hope) of El Paso, TX and Ramon "Guero" Gonzalez (Jovita) of Anthony, NM. His nieces, Aunt, Alicia Silva and many beloved cousins. Nookie was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Rosalia Gonzalez, and his older brother, Sal Gonzalez.

At the family's request, his cremation has taken place at Affinity Funeral Home in Richmond, VA and he will be brought home for his final resting place in the Anthony Cemetery where he will be laid to rest in the family plot. Rosary will take place on Saturday, March 27 at 10:30 AM at St. Anthony's Catholic Church, 224 Lincoln Street, Anthony, NM and funeral mass following immediately after. Due to COVID-19 restrictions in place, only 75 people will be allowed to stay for rosary and mass.