Manuel Gonzales, 95, of Waco, passed away March 31, 2016. Mass of Christian Burial will be 1 pm Monday, April 4, 2016 at St. Francis on the Brazos Catholic Church, with Rev. Esteban Jasso, as Celebrant, with burial to follow at Oakwood Cemetery. Visitation will begin at 6 pm and Rosary Service at 7 pm at Grace Gardens Funeral Home, 8220 Woodway Drive, Waco, Texas

Mr. Gonzales, was born in El Paso, Texas July, 17, 1920 to Alcario and Maria (Gallardo) Gonzales. He attended Sacred Heart Academy, and proudly served his country in WWII as a member of the Army Air Corp. He was a devoted member of St. Francis on the Brazos Catholic Church. He took an active part in establishing the Fiesta de la Raza in 1947, at St. Francis, a festival that continues to this day and really enjoyed his trips to the Holy Land. He felt a great need to be involved in the activities of the Waco community as well as reaching to an international level. He was an active member on the board of directors of E.O.A.C, Waco Boy’s Club, American Red Cross and appointed to the Waco Planning commission. He was a charter member of the local League United of Latin American Citizens, Council # 273; from there he served as District Director, State Director, and in 1976 elected to National President, for two terms, he was an active member of the Executive Foundation and continued to be a member of the L U L A C, National board. L U L A C honored Mr. Gonzales by establishing the Manuel Gonzales Scholarship Fund. Mr. Gonzales’ concern for education to all, led to meeting with then governors, Connally, Briscoe, and Clements, also being invited to the White House during the administrations of Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush. Mr. Gonzales was a member of the Waco delegation that traveled to Paris, France, to participate in the Viet Nam peace talks.

He worked for Waco Trim Supply for over 25 years before retiring in 2000.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Louis, Ralph, Mike Gonzales and Max Quiroga. He is survived by his loving son Michael Gonzales and wife Dorothy of Waco, Texas; granddaughters, Barbara Muniz and husband Marty, Cynthia Torres and Valerie Cooper and husband David, grandson, Robert Gonzales and wife Marilyn; 13 great grandchildren; and sisters; Teresa Garcia and husband Bill, and Lupe Fajardo and Johnny Tegada; nieces Rose Flores and husband Emmitt, Elizabeth Torres and Marie Fajardo.

Pallbearers are; Nicholas, Nathan and Joshua Muniz, Eric, and Zachary Torres, Robert Fajardo, Emmitt Flores, Eddie Gonzales and Anthony Garcia.

The family expresses their appreciation for the excellent care given by William R. Courtney Texas State Veterans Home and VA Waco Hospice.