Funeral services for Richard “Rickey” Gonzalez, 54, of Lyons, were held at 11 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 30, 2021, at Strickland Funeral Home in Somerville.
Burial followed at Oaklawn Cemetery.
Visitation was held from 6-8 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021, at Strickland Funeral Home.
Mr. Gonzales died on Thursday, Aug. 26, 2021, in Bryan with family by his side.
Rickey was born on July 25, 1967, in Brenham to Manuel C. Gonzalez and Mary “Martinez” Gonzalez.
He graduated from Somerville High School and married shortly after.
He was soon blessed with his two children, Joshua Richard and LeeAnna Marie.
Rickey worked at Santa Fe Tie Plant/Koppers Industries for many years as a machinist. He spent his remaining years working for Tegeler Toyota in Brenham.
Rickey was a good man. He was a kind soul who would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it.
He was a strong believer in Jesus and had given his heart to him several years ago.
Rickey loved his family, especially his children, grandchildren, niece and nephews, and his mom, who was always by his side.
He had many friends who he made since elementary school and still maintained those friendships.
Rickey was a student of theology and had study sessions with his mom. He loved to watch biblical and historical commentaries, sports and comedies.
One of his favorite things to do was be at the lake fishing. He would stay there for hours patiently waiting on a fish to bite.
He also liked to cook, especially shrimp and crawfish, two of his favorites.
Rickey was always laughing and joking and given the opportunity, playing a prank on you if you weren’t careful.
The most simple of pleasures brought him great joy. He will be missed by so many. He will always be in our hearts, until the day we see him again, and what a great day that will be!, family members said.
Rickey was preceded in death by his father, Manuel C. Gonzalez; and his brother, David Gonzalez.
Rickey is survived by his son, Joshua Gonzalez and wife, Brandy, daughter, LeeAnna Taylor and husband, Chris, mother, Mary Gonzalez, sister, Raquel Sustayta and husband, Tracy, brother, Johnny Gonzalez, grandchildren, Declan Taylor and Valerie Gonzalez, niece, Hannah Sustayta, and nephews, Levi Sustayta and David Andrew Gonzalez.
Pallbearers were Joshua Gonzalez, Alonzo Gonzalez, Sonny Gonzalez, Jerry Gutierrez, Chris Arredondo, and Paul Jimenez.
Honorary pallbearers were David Andrew Gonzalez, Ryan Ramirez, John Manuel Rodriguez, and Shawn Smith.