Josemaría González

Mr. Josemaría González, retired organist and choirmaster, passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 14, 2020, at 7:34 a.m. He was 92 years old and in hospice care for pneumonia, in Austin, Texas.

Josemaría was born May 27, 1927, in Tampico, Tamaulipas, México. Soon thereafter, his parents - José María González (Palomera) and Manuela Pérez (Villasana)- relocated with him to México, D.F., until 1951.

His aptitude for music was evident in early childhood. He enjoyed the family's player piano; he attended operas and classical music performances with his father; and he had violin and piano lessons at age 10. After his parents' estrangement, he left school at age 13 to support his mother and his siblings. By 1947 he had been employed for 5 years by American Airlines de México.

At age 14, he was a member of "Divino Redentor" Presbyterian Church, for which he played piano and harmonium, and directed the choir. Concurrently, Josemaría independently acquired musicianship by attending choral concerts, by studying scores, and by listening to 78" records and radio. Upon invitation by "El Buen Pastor" Presbyterian Church in 1951, Josemaría moved to Monterrey, Nuevo León to serve as organist and choir director. There, he met pianist Alpha Prince (Rodríguez). As a night-desk agent at the "Gran Hotel Ancira," he had moments to write many letters to Alpha. He served as organist at First Presbyterian Church-Kingsville, Texas (1954) and First Methodist Church-Taft, Texas (1955). On May 27, 1955, he married Alpha at the First Presbyterian Church, in Taft. They moved to Austin in 1956 where they raised their son and daughter.

Josemaría achieved formal technical and artistic advancement in piano, organ, music theory and other music disciplines at : the National Conservatory of Music-México, D.F., in evening classes for piano and music theory (1947- 1948); A & I College-Kingsville, Texas (1954); Del Mar College-Corpus Christi, Texas (1955); the University of Texas-Austin, receiving his Bachelor Degree in Music Education (1962 ) and his Master of Music Degree in Music Theory and Composition (1968). He was hired to direct the choirs and to teach music for the Austin Independent School District, at Johnston High School (1963-1977) and at Travis High School (1977-1984). One highlight was his Johnston Concert Choir's performance of the Southwestern premiere of "God's Trombones," by Gordon Myers (April 12, 1966).

Josemaría also served as both organist and choir director at St. John's Methodist Church-Austin (1957-1959) and at St. John's Lutheran Church Austin (1959-1961). He held the post of Organist and Choirmaster at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church-Austin (1962-1967), guided by the late Rev. Malcom Riker. Culminating Josemaría's spiritual and musical devotion, he was Organist and Choirmaster for All Saints' Episcopal Church-Austin (1967-1990), with most of those years in collaboration with his dearest friend, the Rev. Armistead C. Powell. After retirement, Josemaría and Alpha often traveled abroad to visit many venues of religious and secular choral accomplishments. Josemaría lived with a passionate need for choral music in his life in devoted service to God and to Our Lord- to the very end.

Josemaría was preceded in death by Alpha, his wife of 58 years. He is survived by son, Edward González; daughter Alpha G. Malone and son-in-law Stephen Malone; grandchildren Jimmy, Elizabeth, Andrew and Michael Malone; great-granddaughter Mila Malone; his dear sister Consuelo González P. and his younger brother, Manuel González P., both of México, D.F.

A memorial service at All Saints' Episcopal Church will be held on Saturday May, 14, 2022 at 10:30 AM. Donations can be made to the All Saints Episcopal Church Organ Fund in lieu of flowers.

Cremation arrangements are under the care of Cook-Walden Funeral Home, 6100 N Lamar Blvd, in Austin. Online condolences may be made at www.cookwaldenfuneralhome.com.