Tomas "Tom" Gonzales

Tomás “Tom” Gonzales

February 17, 1935 - December 18, 2025

Tom Gonzales, 90, of Waco, passed away on December 18, 2025. Mass of Christian Burial will be 9:00am, Saturday December 27, at OakCrest Funeral Home with Father Benjie of Sacred Heart Catholic Church as Celebrant. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery. Rosary will begin at 5:00pm with visitation at 6:00pm, Friday, December 26, at OakCrest Funeral Home.

Tom was born February 17, 1935 in Rosebud, Texas to Gustavo and Maria Gonzales. On January 28, 1953, he married the love of his life Hortencia Tijerina. They went on to have seven loving children.

Tom valued hard work, nature and animals, music, and above all, family. He held his dream job when employed by Ozark Leather Company as a Leather Craftsman for several years. Tom loved work when he could use his hands to create things. He retired from Allergan before returning to part-time work as a beloved custodian at First Baptist Church of Woodway.

In his free time, Tom spent countless hours outdoors, beautifying his yard with plants and landscaping for his family to enjoy their late night fiestas that always had cold beer and good music. If he wasn’t in the yard, then he was in his hand-built shop painting, crafting wooden crosses, doll furniture, and mission style churches, or working with leather to make saddles and belts. Tom made many special gifts for his loved ones. He was a great storyteller and enjoyed sharing the adventures of his childhood with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He loved a good laugh too, especially when he could cause it by scaring both the little kids and the big ones.

Tom helped raise a devoted, tight-knit family. His children stepped up to take care of him as he aged, and he held the deepest gratitude for all of their love and care.

To his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Tom was Popo. Popo made them each feel special and loved. He had stories and memories about each and lovingly retold them to anyone that would listen.

Tom was preceded in death by his loving parents, Gustavo and Maria Gonzales, his beautiful wife, Hortencia Gonzales, his daughter Patricia “Patti” Morales, his son-in-law Frank Alonzo, and siblings Gustavo Gonzalez and Delfina Moreno.

He will be dearly missed by his beloved children Sylvia Josephs and husband Bruce, Beatrice Alonzo, Margie Gonzales, Mary Ordones and husband Lupe, Edward Gonzales and wife Dorothy, and Annette Peña and husband Joe; ten grandchildren, Eric, Amanda, Vanessa, Jenna, Adam, Randy, Chris, Andrianna, Kimberly, and Alyssa; and eleven great-grandchildren, Addison, Camden, Brayden, Millie, Jaslynn, Easton, Joaquin, Ava, Santiago, Mateo, and Sebastian; and brother Joe Gonzales and wife Odelia.

Pallbearers are Eric, Adam, Randy, Chris, DJ, Dustin, and John. Honorary pallbearers will be Camden, Brayden, Easton, Joaquin, and Santiago.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to AccentCare, Providence Village Nursing Home, and Providence Hospice for providing heartfelt and compassionate care during a difficult time.

The family invites you to share a memory or send a message to the family at www.oakcrestwaco.com