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Angelus Funeral Home - San Antonio

1119 N Saint Marys

San Antonio, Texas

Jimmie Gonzalez Obituary

Jimmie Gonzalez, Jr. peacefully left to his final deployment on October 24, 2022 at the age of 79.

Jimmie was born in San Antonio and was a graduate of Sidney Lanier High School Class of 1961.

He was preceded in death by his father, Jimmie Sr., mother Eloisa Gonzalez, his son, Jimmie III, daughter Diana, siblings: Diana, Guillermo, Maria Luisa and Gabriel.

He is survived by his loving wife and best friend, M. Dolores Arredondo Gonzalez whom he thanks for returning him into the house of the Lord, his eldest daughter, Rossana Apodaca and son, Cesar Gonzalez; grandchildren Christina, Michael, Amber Apodaca and Stephanie Crutcher; great granddaughter Arianna, great grandson Armani and siblings, Gloria Medrano (Danny), Rosie Ann Cuellar (Joe), Edward Gonzalez (Susan) and multiple nieces and nephews.

Jimmie joined the Army immediately upon graduation from Lanier High School in 1961 and began his career in electronics as a repairman with the Army Signal Corps. While stationed in Europe, Jimmie took the opportunity to learn and speak French, German, Italian and the Luxembourg dialect. In 1967 he applied for and was selected to attend the Vietnamese language school at Biggs Field, TX in El Paso followed by deployment to Vietnam from December 1968 – March 1972. He was extremely proud of his ability to learn languages and the fact that he could still communicate in most of them. He credited learning languages to his knowledge of Spanish.

In Vietnam he served as a team leader and interpreter (Vietnamese and French), team sergeant and as an advisor to the Vietnamese military. His fluency in Vietnamese enabled him to become a vital part in the collection of intelligence information from the local populace and captured Viet Cong.

In 1974 Jimmie transferred to the Military Intelligence branch of the Army and served as an Interrogation Instructor for seven years at the Army Intelligence Center and School at Ft. Huachuca, Arizona. Other key assignments in his career were as: Brigade Intelligence and Security Officer (S2 normally an officer position) where he was instrumental in the combat certification of three Patriot Missile battalions; Intelligence and Security NCO for a Military Community in Rheinberg, Germany; First Sergeant (his favorite position); and his final assignment just prior to retirement as Command Sergeant Major of the 163rd Military Intelligence Battalion at Fort Hood, Texas.

During his tenure as First Sergeant and Command Sergeant Major, he felt great pride for the soldiers in his units that repeatedly demonstrated their intellectual abilities, high scores in physical fitness and skills qualifications tests. Soldiers attending leadership schools always finished in the top 10 percent. In June 1990 he predicted to his battalion's noncommissioned officers that our next conflict would be in the Middle East and not in Europe as expected and so it was in January 1991.

His military awards are: Legion of Merit; Bronze Star with 1 Oak Leaf awarded for his service in Vietnam; Meritorious Service Medal with 1 Oak Leaf; Army Commendation Medals with 2 Oak Leaf clusters; Army Achievement Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with 8 campaign stars; Vietnam Presidential Citation; Vietnam Civic Action Medal; and numerous certificates of appreciation/achievement and was an expert marksman with rifle and pistol. Jimmie felt that the best awards he ever received were from seeing his subordinates (military and civilian) succeed and achieve positions of higher responsibility.

Upon retirement from the Army in August 1990 after twenty-nine years, Jimmie began his civilian life as a private investigator. Later went on as Director of Security of the St. Anthony Hotel, La Mansion del Rio Hotel and the Sheraton Gunter Hotel in downtown San Antonio.

After a brief retirement in 1999, he needed something to do and went to work as a part-time bus operator with VIA for 6 years. In 2004, he returned on-call to work part-time, while continuing with VIA, at the Historic Gunter Hotel eventually coming out of retirement and taking the job full time as the Safety/Loss Prevention Manager and later agreed to also manage the Valet Department. He also served for one year as the Director of Engineering at the Gunter Hotel. In 2014, he returned to The St. Anthony Hotel. Jimmie was known to be a jack-of-all-trades, and he believed that there was nothing he couldn't do and nothing prevented him from undertaking any task. He was also known for his willingness to always lend a helping hand and teach others. Every day Jimmie was able to make the day with his humor and at least one joke a day.

Jimmie was a former member of the Federal Criminal Investigators Association; National Rifle Association; Veterans of Foreign Wars; and the Vietnam Veterans of America – Alamo Chapter 366. He also was instrumental in establishing a security network for downtown businesses getting together and communicating concerns and issues with local law enforcement agencies. Later on there were other networks organized for the Loop 410 and 151 area; 410 – IH10 corridor and the airport region of 410 and Highway 281.

His favorite slogan was, "It's a great day to be a soldier!" and wants everyone to remember that "Old soldiers never die they just fade away."

Jimmie was a proud patriot and loved our Nation's flag.

FUNERAL SERVICES

Visitation will be held Wednesday, November 2, 2022 at 5:00 P.M. in The Angelus Chapel with a Rosary to be recited at 7:00 P.M.

Funeral Mass will be offered Thursday, November 3, 2022 at 10:00 A.M. at St. Anthony de Padua Catholic Church, 102 Lorenz.

Interment will follow in Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery with military honors.

Condolences may be sent to the Gonzalez family at www.theangelusfuneralhome.com Arrangements by:



To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by San Antonio Express-News on Oct. 30, 2022.

Memories and Condolences
for Jimmie Gonzalez

Sponsored by Angelus Funeral Home - San Antonio.

Not sure what to say?





Samuel V

January 28, 2023

RIP Jimmie, you were a good man to work with. We shared some laughs at the hotel. I remember when I was laid off, you thought you were next and told me that you even told your wife that you may be home more often haha. (sounds like you stuck around there, though, good for you.) RIP

Gilbert and Teri Gonzalez

November 2, 2022

My dear cousin Dolores. Teri and I were saddened to learn that Jimmie had passed. We are so sorry for your loss. Our prayers go out to you and your family, that the Lord is compassionate and gives you the strength to get through these times.
With much love, your cousin Gilbert and Teri Gonzalez.

Rachel Martino

November 2, 2022

I had the pleasure of working with Jimmie at the St. A hotel. He was such a pleasant person, always smiling and staying positive. He loved tinkering with the radios and taking care of business. Always well dressed, he took pride in how he looked, his work and in his service to his country. He will be missed, my condolences to the family.

Robert Meade

November 1, 2022

GREAT Man, Brother member in VVA 366 & I worked with him as a Downtown Ambassador for Centro San Antonio. One of a kind. RIP my Brother.

Stacy Huynh

November 1, 2022

He was a wonderful man. He was served in VN where I was born and in the incident he and I had meet and he kept his promise to search for my biological father had never seen. After 3 years we’re found out that my dad has passed away. But Jimmy and Dee have not just says good bye after the results are found. On the contrary they’re accepted me as an adopted daughter in the family and they had gave me a feeling with the love of a parent for daughter, and that feeling for the first time in my life. We’re had talked a lot of things in life. I miss him dearly i wish I still can see him again in heaven.

John O’Shea

October 31, 2022

I worked with Mr. Gonzalez in the 90’s at the St. Anthony Hotel. I was a night auditor and he was the security manager and later director of housekeeping also. He did a terrific job. I had a lot of respect for him. I was saddened to see him let go when a new management company came in 1998?,and bring in there own upper management team. RIP.

Zona and Harold LaField

October 30, 2022

Rest in Peace dear friend and wonderful neighbor. May the Peace of Christ be with Dee and his family.

Douglas Magill

October 29, 2022

We lived across the street from Jimmy for many years, and he was a great neighbor. After reading his obituary we realize he was a very humble man also as we weren’t aware of all that he had done for our country even though we knew he served. Jimmy watched over our house, told us of anything suspicious and of possible threats in the neighborhood. We weren’t aware that he was a lifelong expert in security. He made great suggestions for our landscaping. He was all you could ask for a neighbor,
Jimmy RIP from Douglas, Dessire, Jacob, Joseph and Reggie

James Cuellar

October 28, 2022

I remember as a young teenager my uncle Jimmie taught me how to iron clothes the correct way. He said its a called a press iron, so press harder to iron out those wrinkles. He also taught me about aesthetics, how things appear or should look, as he was showing his back yard to me after some redesigning and new landscaping. Oh yes, he also told us a story about how he got startled by a rat in veitnam, only because he thought it was a cat at first, but he said that's how big they were. Thank you for the memories, Rest easy uncle, going to miss you.

John Schmidt

October 27, 2022

Good man, good memories

Daniel Cook

October 26, 2022

I only knew Jimmie through the 41st Civil Affairs website and a few phone calls! I plan on meeting him again in our heavenly home! May the Lord Bless You and Keep You and May His Face Shine upon you!
Sp5 Dan Cook Vietnam ‘68-69.
Eventually Dr Daniel S Cook DDS RETIRED

David Forbes

October 26, 2022

Jimmie is amazing man, impressive military history. A fellow Vietnam veteran, I saw him a couple of times during a reunion in CA and visit to San Antonio. I will miss him, very sad to lose him. David Forbes. Sergeant Team 9 Medic 1968-69

Gary Faith

October 26, 2022

I served with Jimmie on Team 15, 41st CA Company at Pleiku, Vietnam in 1969. Jimmie was always the guy who got things done. His language skills, especially Vietnamese and French were invaluable for our team. He was also so knowledgeable about how things work in the Army. All our achievements as a team are attributable to Jimmie as a catalyst for success. It is my hope to see Jimmie's big smile again in heaven. Yes, Jimmie, it was a great day to be a soldier with you!

Nikki Roman

October 26, 2022

SIP. Thank you for your service. Til’ Valhalla. Descanse en paz hermanito.

CWO 3 Juan Gonzalez

October 26, 2022

Rest in Peace. Jimmy was one of my instructors and military career advisor during mi intelligence training in Fort Huachuca Arizona. Later on we became business partners in a disco bar ventured in Sierra Vista Arizona as well as a good friend along with his Army family and mine. My deepest condolences to all his family members. May he rest in the lord's kingdom. Uno pone y Dios dispone.

John Schmidt III

October 26, 2022

While I never served with Jimmie, we became very close friends through the 7 reunions of the 41st Civil Affairs Company (Vietnam) we held over the years beginning in 2006. God Bless you my dear friend.

Felix rangel

October 26, 2022

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

October 26, 2022

Our sincere condolences to all the family members from Frank Jr and Mary O. DeLaRosa.

Ruben Hernandez

October 25, 2022

My wife and I first meet Jimmie and Dorlores as acquaintances through Eddie his brother in-law and turned into a close friendship with him and Dorlores. They made us feel like we knew them forever! He was a great person and always had a friendly word when we saw him. Jimmie and Dorlores had some awesome Halloween & Christmas parties. We will miss him greatly and think of him especially during the holidays. Till we meet again, go in Peace my friend.

Mike Norris

October 25, 2022

Jimmie and I served in Vietnam together in 1968 and 1969 and in the last few years, after rediscovering each other through a Veterans group, became close friends. He was a great person, a great friend, a dedicated soldier and a dedicated husband. He will be greatly missed. I have faith that we will meet again some day. I am greatly saddened.

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Memorial Events
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Nov

2

Visitation

5:00 p.m.

Angelus Funeral Home - San Antonio

1119 N Saint Marys, San Antonio, TX 78215

Nov

2

Rosary

7:00 p.m.

Angelus Funeral Home - San Antonio

1119 N Saint Marys, San Antonio, TX 78215

Nov

3

Funeral Mass

10:00 a.m.

St. Anthony de Padua Catholic Church

102 Lorenz, TX

Funeral services provided by:

Angelus Funeral Home - San Antonio

1119 N Saint Marys, San Antonio, TX 78215

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