Kevin Dwayne Gonzalez

Kevin Gonzalez WATKINSVILLE, GA — Kevin Dwayne Gonzalez, 36, died February 5, 2009. A native of Columbus, GA, he was a son of Dana Lynn and Raymond Bourda Gonzalez of Columbus, GA. He attended St. Anne School and Pacelli Catholic High School in Columbus, GA, was a graduate of Tulane University, where in 1994, he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Management, with honors. Kevin then obtained his law degree from the University of Georgia. Kevin participated on numerous mock trial competition teams that earned him both statewide and national recognition. He was selected to be a member of the Joseph Henry Lumpkin Inn of Court and when he graduated in 1997, was inducted as a national member into the Order of Barristers, an organization dedicated to superiority in trial advocacy. From 1997 until 2000, he was employed as an associate at the law firm of Garcia & Powell in Athens and then served as Chief Assistant Solicitor-General of Athens-Clarke County until 2007. At that time, he helped establish a private law practice, Slider and Gonzalez, in Watkinsville. Kevin was a member of the State Bar of Georgia, the Western Circuit Bar, and the Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. He was an active member of the Athens Gaming Club, an enthusiastic strategy/board game group. Funeral mass will be held Saturday, February 7, 2009 at 3:00 PM at St. Joseph's Catholic Church. A memorial service will be held at St. Anne's Catholic Church in Columbus, GA at a later date. Survivors in addition to his parents include his wife, Ranci Gonzalez; two step-daughters, Jacy Mercardante and Katie Mercardante, both of Watkinsville; brother and sister-in-law, Stephen Bourda and Sabra Gonzalez of Douglasville, GA; nephew, Miles Bourda Gonzalez of Douglasville, GA; grandmothers, Eunice Byrd of Baker, LA and Mae Bourda Gonzalez of Kenner, LA. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Joseph's Capital Campaign, 134 Prince Ave., Athens, GA 30601 or the Kevin Gonzalez Memorial Fund at Athens First Bank and Trust. Lord and Stephens, WEST, Bogart, GA is in charge of arrangements.