Abelardo (Abel) Gonzales of Fort Stockton, passed away on Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023, in Fort Stockton, Texas. He was 84 years old.

Visitation will be on Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023, from 1-5:30 p.m. at Heritage Funeral Home of the Big Bend, 301 N Main Street Fort Stockton, Texas. Rosary will be at 7 p.m. at St. Agnes Catholic Church, 4094 N Highway 18, Fort Stockton, Texas. Funeral Mass will be on Monday, November 6, 2023, at 10:00 am at St. Agnes Catholic Church 4094 North Highway 18, Fort Stockton. Interment services will be at a later date at St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery with arrangements made with Heritage Funeral Home of Big Bend.

Abel was born in Plateau, Texas to Cosme and Eugenia Gonzales on March 26, 1939. He married Mauricia Gonzales on July 8, 1957, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Fort Stockton. They were married for 66 years.

He is preceded in death by his parents, and three siblings: Yldefonso Gonzales, Elvira Holguin and Olivia De La O. He was a member of St. Agnes Catholic Church. He served as a Church Greeter, Eucharist Minister and on the Funeral Mass Meals Committee.

Abel started his working career in the oilfield, Duvall Sulphur Plant and Firestone Test driver.

Abel worked at Apache Elementary as a custodian and later as a bus driver for the Fort Stockton Independent School District. He knew all the students at Apache Elementary and was truly loved by them. He made an impact on those students during his time at Apache. Many of the students who went through Apache still remember him fondly.

First of all, Abel was an avid reader and always had a book with him. His favorite topic was the history of Big Bend, and the Terlingua area of Texas. He would share his books, so that they could also learn about the families of the Big Bend Area. He made monthly trips to Grandfalls, Texas to care for his grandmother's grave, Santos Acosta, which is an abandoned cemetery in the area of Las Ranas. The family is requesting that in lieu of flowers donations be made to the Apache Elementary Reading Room.

Abel is survived by his wife, Mauricia Gonzales of Fort Stockton, He had the following children: Ruben Gonzales, Fort Stockton, Texas, Sylvia (Jesse) Alvarado of Alvin, Texas, and Sam (Rose) of Avondale, Arizona. He is survived by 3 grandchildren: Jesika (Raul) Rojo of Newcastle, OK, Marc Alvarado of Alvin, Texas, and Joshua (Michelle) Lopez of Surprise, Arizona. In addition, four great grandchildren: Nyssa Alvarado-Sanchez, Evan Rojo, Kevan Rojo and Emery Rojo. He will be greatly missed by his furry partners Joe, Molly, Changa and Sebastian.

Pallbearers will be Raul Rojo, Oscar Reyes, Oscar Holguin, Joshua Lopez, Angelo Gonzales, and Marc Alvarado. Honorary Pallbearers: David Gonzales and Bert Rainwater.

The family of Abel Gonzales wish to extend their sincere thanks to Focused Care Nursing Home, Pecos County Hospital District Hospice, Drs. Velasquez, Malik, Rodriguez and Medina and their friends, and neighbors during this time.

Arrangements are entrusted to Heritage Funeral Home of the Big Bend in Fort Stockton, Texas.If you would like to send your condolences to the family, you may do so by signing his guestbook at www.heritagefuneralhomeofthebigbend.com.