David Isaac Gonzalez

David "Dave" Gonzalez passed away on Monday, December 22, 2025, at the age of 38.

Dave was born on April 18, 1987, in Santa Monica, California, to Henry Gonzalez and Alicia Carlos. He is survived by his wife, Ruby Annette Gonzalez Jimenez; his mother, Alicia Carlos; his father, Henry Gonzalez; his stepmothers, Karen Gonzalez, and Nikki Gonzalez; his brother, Mark Gonzalez; his stepbrothers, Oliver and Alex Gonzalez; and by countless family-friends who adopted Dave, fed him, gave him a home, and proudly called him son or brother. These families include the Dorosh Family, French Family, Ismail Family, and Stranak Family.

Dave was loved by every human and animal he encountered-but he loved back even more. He brought calmness, silliness, curiosity, fascinating facts, and contagious laughter into every space he entered. He had the rare gift of making people feel seen, valued, and genuinely cared for.

Tributes from Family and Chosen Family

From Ruby's Family

From Ruby's parents, Raudel Gonzalez and Maria Sara Gonzalez, and our entire family-Lisa, Bramdom, Bryant, Raudel and his wife Lizette, and our granddaughter Daleyza:

David, we thank God for allowing you to be part of our family. We are so proud of you and of the beautiful moments we were blessed to share together as a family. What we loved most about you was that you were a sincere, loving, and a humble person.

We want to thank you, David, for being a wonderful husband to our daughter Ruby-for how deeply you loved her, cared for her, and always wanted the very best for her so that she could be happy. Thank you for all your kindness and for the love you showed our family.

We ask God to shower you with blessings in Heaven. You are deeply loved by all of us, from Ruby's family.

David Gonzalez, rest in the peace of God.
Amen.

Bramdom Gonzalez, Ruby's second youngest brother

"I first met Dave when Ruby brought him over for a family BBQ, but I didn't truly get to know him until May 23, 2014, when he convinced me to join him, my sister, and my parents on a trip to Yosemite-my first time ever going. That trip showed me exactly who Dave was as a husband and as a person: caring, thoughtful, kind, and always trying to make everyone laugh.

That night was freezing. I couldn't sleep and wondered why anyone liked camping. I asked Dave, 'How do you deal with this? Don't you hate it?' He laughed and said, 'No, I love it. Haven't you seen how buff I am? I'm built for this.' In that moment, I knew my sister would always be safe with him.

Thank you, Dave, for always being yourself, for loving my sister, and for taking care of her when she needed you most. You will be truly missed."

College & Lifelong Friendships

Sean Kelly, UC Merced

"I feel as though I could write a book about what Dave meant to me, and yet I can find no words that can truly do justice to my love for Dave and what he meant to me as a person. The time we spent with Dave at UC Merced and thereafter will forever hold a place in our hearts. We shared an annual camping trip in the desert, smoking briskets and cigars, playing games, reminiscing about old times, and creating new memories. It is a cherished event for all who attend and Dave was an integral part of it.

His good nature and zest for life were infectious to everyone around him. He had a special way of bringing people together. Dave could bring fun and enjoyment to any occasion. He wasn't afraid to be the butt of a joke and his laugh is not something that can be forgotten. He always had the energy for one more round, one more conversation, one more joke, or one more of anything a friend might need from him. The adventures and experiences everyone had with Dave will have a positive, lasting effect on our lives. His presence will always be missed and is irreplaceable, but his memory will forever be celebrated amongst all of us who had the good fortune to know him."

Andrew and The French Family – "Our Fifth Brother"

"Dave has brought incredible joy and laughter to our family. He has always been the 5th French brother. You would think a family with 4 boys would not have any more room, but Dave's gregarious nature, friendly positivity and diehard love of soccer made him an instant member of our family. We all referred to Dave as brother and he referred to our parents as Mom and Dad.

Dave would always get on me for forgetting that his version of Gonzalez had two Z's in it when I often misspelled it, so I would always tell him...you know Dave....it's much easier to spell your name as David French. And truly, that is what Dave was to us, a French, one of the brothers, a beloved son. His light hearted way of being and silly sense of humor were a perfect match for our family. Dave is like a ball of magnetic energy that draws all of us into his world and ends with us laughing, rolling on the floor. He has such a genuine way of being in each moment that is infectious to everyone around him. We all knew when Dave was around whatever we were doing was about to become more fun, more silly, more ridiculous and full of deep laughs.

Dave was the king of maintaining inside jokes for years on end and making the best memories even more special. He was incredibly caring, compassionate and deeply involved with our family. Dave was always contributing to the family to help out in any way possible. Whether this was helping anyone move out of their homes, to being the BBQ meat master behind the grill at family events, to making all of our Christmases/Thanksgivings/Apple Pickings/Big Bear Cabin trips/Birthdays/Oktoberfests much brighter and more entertaining. Of the countless memories we have with Dave, there is one that perfectly exemplifies how having Dave around adds an extra dose of magic.

Years ago the family all went together to the Pantages in LA to see the play "The Book of Mormon."The show is incredibly hilarious, but when you go with Dave it's more special. His booming laugh was echoing off the walls of the theater infecting each person in that room. No one in that theater could resist laughing deeper and harder each time we heard Dave's laugh. It enriched the experience in the best way and made perhaps the best showing of the Book of Mormon ever. I am certain that every single person who watched the show that night had a better experience because we all were uncontrollably laughing more, feeding off Dave and his contagious laughter.

It truly was impossible to be in a room with Dave and not leave the room smiling. Dave is a wonderful, pure, authentic soul that is unapologetically and shamelessly himself. Dave is truly one of a kind and he had no intention of not fully being himself. Our family loved him so much and we miss Dave deeply. We are devastated that Dave is no longer with us. He chose to walk this life with our family for decades and us with him. Words can't possibly describe what Dave meant to us or how he enriched our lives so much. We will forever cherish all the laughs, all the tears and all the silly fun Dave brought into our lives.

Dave, you will always be our brother and part of our family. We will always love you and you will forever be missed!"

High School Brotherhood

Tim Stranak, Damien High School

"Dave meant everything to me. He was my best friend, but more than that, he was my brother. He showed up for every important moment in my life when my kids were born, when I was serving in the NAVY, and during times when distance could have easily gotten in the way. No matter where I was, Dave made the effort. If he was anywhere nearby, he would stop in to see my family, check on them, and make sure everyone was doing well. That was simply who he was, someone who always put people first.

Dave had a way of making everyone feel seen and valued. He was the life of the party, the person who brought energy into the room without trying. I still smile thinking about the voicemails he would leave when I missed his calls. They were never rushed. He always checked in, asked about the family, and ended by letting me know he was thinking about me and that he loved me. Dave cared deeply about relationships, and he protected them. While he was my best friend, I came to realize that Dave had many best friends. People were drawn to him because of his big personality and his genuine care for others.

One of my favorite memories goes back to high school, when Dave and I created a foosball club at Damien High School. Officially, it was to get to campus early. In reality, it was our cover so we could go surfing before school, something we loved. We'd head out into the ocean, sometimes when it was still pitch black, just the two of us and the water.

On one of those mornings, we arrived to find jellyfish everywhere. I hesitated, but Dave didn't. He said we didn't come all that way just to sit on the sand, jumped in, and started paddling out. After a bit of convincing, I followed. Dave was fearless and refused to let jellyfish ruin his time. While catching waves, he wiped out on a sandbar and snapped his board clean in half. I rushed over, worried, only to hear him laughing. He looked at me and said, "Have you ever seen someone break a surfboard?" When I said no, he replied, "Exactly. That's how awesome I am." That was Dave.

We left not long after, though not before grabbing a dead jellyfish to prank our friend French. Even then, Dave turned the situation into something fun. That's what he did best. He could take something negative and flip it around. He lifted people up, made hard moments lighter, and made it difficult to stay sad when he was around. That's what I'm going to miss the most."

Childhood & Chosen Brother

Alex Ismail, Our Lady of the Assumption

"I met David Ismail in Mrs. Estrada's third-grade class at Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic School in 1995. I had just transferred from a public school and didn't know a single person. David welcomed me without hesitation, and we bonded almost immediately over our shared love of Batman comic books-especially the Knightfall storyline. From that moment on, David became the brother I never had.

Our families grew just as close as we did. We traveled together, celebrated holidays together, and were rarely apart. My mom, Rose, used to joke by calling me "my son" in Alicia's presence, as if to remind everyone that I still belonged to her despite how much time I spent with David and his family.

David shaped so much of who I became-introducing me to scouting, skating, and Star Wars-and we followed each other through school after school all the way through high school. Even when college took us in different directions, our bond never faded. We stayed close through road trips, family weddings, visits to my military duty stations, and countless late-night PlayStation voice chats. No matter where life took us, David was always there-my best friend, my chosen brother, and a constant presence in my life."

Fitness & CrossFit Community

Shannon, CrossFit Partner

"Dave's impact on our CrossFit gym went far beyond workouts and whiteboards. He was one of my closest friends, a co-coach, a business partner, and my daily training partner-and he showed up fully in every role.

Dave was thoughtful, deeply supportive, and unfailingly kind. As a coach, he was detail-oriented, always learning, and genuinely invested in his athletes, often starting class with one of his infamous dad jokes. As a training partner, he made even the hardest days fun with humor, encouragement, and just enough competition. As a business partner, he was steady, professional, and always looking out for others.

Dave brought heart, humor, and integrity into our gym, shaping our community in ways that will never be forgotten."

Stuart Bell, CrossFit Friend

"I was truly blessed to call David my friend. We first met at CrossFit-bonding over sweat and burpees-but our friendship quickly outgrew the gym. He and Ruby didn't just become friends; they became family. Of course, I can't think of Dave without smiling about those holiday nights. He would act as the ringmaster for his infamous 'horse race' card game, filling the living room with shouting, laughter, and friendly rivalry. He was a loyal friend and a truly great man who brought joy wherever he went. We will miss him terribly, but we will always cherish the fun and the love we shared."

Professional Life

Connie Arizola, Fredericksburg Medical Equipment

"I met Dave in January 2023 when he interviewed me for a billing position, and I had the pleasure of being his "assistant" as we teased and became friends over the next few years. While I didn't know him very long, he left a lasting impression on my life and I am truly grateful to have worked alongside him.

Dave was kind, giving, and compassionate, and he genuinely cared for everyone he met-but he also loved to have fun and make people laugh. A proud prankster in the office, he was known for hiding a fake spider in our desks just to hear us scream, which brought him endless joy. Dave was truly one of a kind, and he is already deeply missed."

From His Parents

Henry Gonzalez, Father

"In memory of David Isaac Gonzalez, my eldest son. I could write a book about David and still not have written enough. David, was always a person whose kind heart affected his many friends. When he was a child, I kept as a goal for my sons to become men who many can trust, who many can attest to their respectfulness, their gentleness, and, their ability to gain love and friendship from others. Honor, integrity, honesty, perseverance, and playfulness were some of the traits I wanted David to be known for.

Looking at all the friendships he had and the relationship he's had with his friend's parents just confirms to me that David indeed achieved what I had wanted out him when he was growing up. There is little doubt in my mind that David is now with our Lord in Heaven because of his accomplishments and lifestyle while he was alive with us.

The grief we feel about his death is balanced by the joy we have in our belief that he made it to Heaven and is now with us in spirit. When I think of him, the vision I have is the smile he always was quick to achieve no matter what the circumstances were. David will be missed and always thought of as a person we all can aspire to emulate in our own lives.

I miss you my David, and I hope you find joy and rest while in Heaven and, while up there, find a few angels to play a fun game of Jimm Rummy."

Alicia Carlos, Mother

"My beloved son, David, you were the bright spark in my life, your laughter was contagious, and your smile, oh! Your smile could light up the gloomiest of days. There were challenges along the way as life often weaves moments of struggle amidst the beauty of existence. Watching you navigate those obstacles, your resilience was inspiring even when faced heartbreak or disappointment, you carried on with a gentle strength, a quiet reminder that our true measures lies in how we rise after each fall.

As your mother, my heart swells with pride and bittersweet ache of loss. I cherish every memory, the sound of your laughter, the way you held my hand with unwavering trust, and the intimate moments when words were unnecessary because our eyes already spoke volumes of love. In this moment of goodbye, I find comfort not in the finality of our parting but in the promise that you live on, not only in my tears and memories but in my heart.

I will forever be grateful for the Privilege of being your mother and for the joy you brought into my life. Until we meet again, know that I will carry you in my spirit, always and forever."

From His Wife

Ruby Gonzalez

"I fell in love with Dave the very first time we were truly alone together (of course he didn't know until years later). Sitting there eating Cold Stone ice cream despite the fact that he was lactose intolerant, he told me a story about his beloved grandmother that made me laugh so hard I nearly peed myself. I live for a deep, belly laugh, the kind that makes you cry and gives you a cramp. I grew up in a house full of laughter, thanks to my hilarious dad, and I knew in that moment that choosing Dave meant choosing a lifetime of silliness, joy, and tears. Dave was the only man who could take me from angry tears to tears of laughter in seconds. I will miss that more than I can ever put into words.

Dave proposed to me on a glacier in Alaska, during my very first cruise to Alaska. While on that trip, we met a couple in their 70s who had just retired. It was their first cruise, and they told us they were finally ready to enjoy life and see the world. I remember feeling both shocked and heartbroken by that reality. Later, I told Dave that I didn't want fancy things. I just wanted to save every penny we could and spend it on traveling and truly living life together while we were young. And that's exactly what we did.

Many told us we were reckless, irresponsible, taking too many risks too soon. It stressed Dave out immensely, but it never stopped us. I persisted, and because of that persistence, I now have thousands of photos, videos, and memories of us traveling across the U.S. in an RV, cruising around the world, and exploring over 30 countries.

In our short 20 years of friendship (8) and marriage (12), we created more memories than most couples do in a lifetime. I am forever grateful that we didn't allow society to dictate how we lived our lives. We did things on our own terms. We had no regrets.

On a visit to Jack Daniel's in Tennessee, we purchased a bottle of Jack Daniel's Sinatra Select Whiskey and had it engraved with the words: "Adventure Before Dementia." I invite you to live the rest of your life the same way-and to raise a glass to Dave on your next adventure."

Dave lived fully, loved deeply, and left the world lighter than he found it. His legacy lives on in laughter, stories, friendships, and love that will never fade.

A Graveside Service and Internment will be held on Tuesday Jan. 6, 2026 12 Noon with visitation 11AM-12PM at Greenwood Cemetery.

Expressions of sympathy can be sent to www.schaetter.com.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Schaetter Funeral Home.