Henry B. GONZALEZ

1950 - 2016

GONZALEZ, Henry B.
Henry Gonzalez was born August 6, 1950, in Brownsville, Texas to a large and loving Latino family who have been residents of Tejas since before the US stole the territory from Mexico. He died on February 29, 2016 after an intense 16 month battle against cancer.

Growing up in Brownsville and Corpus Christi, Henry got to Austin as quick as he could in 1972. Although he attended several of Texas' finest state schools he left academia to become an integral part of the Austin music scene, working at The Armadillo World Headquarters, the Austin Opera House and later touring and working for several national and local bands. He was an artist, stage hand, stage manager and mentor to the next generation. He recognized early on the importance of Austin's music culture and in 2004 Henry was part of the founding group of the South Austin Museum of Popular Culture, where that unique culture is celebrated, and spent the rest of his life as the driving force of that organization.

He leaves behind an enormous number of friends and family, including his wife, Leea Mechling; son, Ben Gonzalez (wife, Margaret); daughter, Coree Alvarez (husband, Michael) and grandchildren Beck Ava Gonzalez and Royal Bennet Gonzalez.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, March 20th at 1pm at the Zilker Clubhouse. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Hospice Austin.

Condolences may be sent to: www.harrellfuneralhomes.com.