Judge Douglas Marion Gonzales Sr.

Douglas Marion Gonzales, Sr. "Doug", age 85, passed away on January 22, 2021, in Baton Rouge, LA. Doug was a proud graduate of Catholic High School, class of 1955 and the University of Notre Dame, class of 1959. He graduated from LSU Law School, class of 1963. He practiced private law from 1963 to 1967 before serving as Assistant District Attorney for East Baton Rouge Parish from 1967 to 1971. Doug was appointed the first Director of the Office of Public Defender from 1971 to 1972. He served as United States Attorney for the newly created Middle District of Louisiana from 1972 to 1976. Doug was elected Judge of the 19th Judicial District Court in 1976 and served until 1990 (serving as Chief Judge from 1986 until 1990). In 1990, he was elected Judge on the First Circuit Court of Appeals and served on that court until his retirement in 2002. Doug was a proud lifetime member of the Baton Rouge Jaycees and a founding member of the Baton Rouge State Fair Foundation. He was a member of the Baton Rouge, Louisiana and American Bar Associations, American Judges Association, and American Judicature Society. He was a member of Cajun Clickers, the Baton Rouge Power Squadron, Kiwanis Club, Knights of Columbus, Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity and Phi Delta Phi legal fraternity. He was a member of St. Thomas More Catholic Church. Doug also had many hobbies. He was passionate about learning, especially new technologies. He loved traveling, especially with groups. He was an avid supporter of law enforcement and the military, and he never found a social gathering he did not like. He is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Gail Webre Gonzales; children, Dr. Douglas M. Gonzales, Jr., (Diane) of Lafayette and Kelly Gonzales Rohwedder (Edward) of Los Angeles, CA; grandchildren, Drew and Anna Gonzales and Addis and Hong Rohwedder; brother, Edward J. Gonzales III; sister-in-law Ann Gonzales; and nephew, Edward J. Gonzales IV. He is preceded in death by his parents, Edward Joseph Gonzales, Jr. and Ruth Attaway Gonzales; and brothers, Robert and Donald Gonzales. Private services will be held at Greenoaks Memorial Park. The family would like to extend their gratitude to the doctors, nurses, and staff of the neurology floor at Our Lady of the Lake Hospital and NeuroMedical Center Rehabilitation Hospital. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Catholic High School foundation at catholichigh.org or a charity of your choice. Family and friends are invited to sign the online guestbook at www.greenoaksfunerals.com.