Demetrio Gonzales

Demetrio “Tony” Gonzales, 86 passed away at his Clovis, NM home on Friday, December 09, 2022. He was born April 28, 1936 in Fort Sumner, NM to the home of Rumaldo and Aurora (Madrid) Gonzales. He grew up in Fort Sumner and attended Fort Sumner schools. Demetrio married Corina Aragon on May 23, 1953 in Littlefield, Texas. Tony served 20 years in the United States Army from 1955 until his retirement in 1975. They made their home in Fort Sumner in 1975. From 1977-1980 Tony operated Tito’s Café and the Golden Ox Restaurant. Tony attended Eastern NM University and received a degree in Associates of Science of Law Enforcement, he graduated on December 18, 1981. Tony became a NM certified law enforcement officer, he worked for Vaughn P.D., Carlsbad P.D., and served as De Baca County Sheriff. Tony worked NM State Police as a NM Motor Transportation Officer from 1980-1995. And later worked for the NM State Department of Education from 1995-2001. Tony drove for Renzenberger Transportation Company, transporting train engineers, and also worked for the U.S. Census Bureau. Tony retired in 2011. Tony continued to serve the Fort Sumner community on the Village Council from 2002-2006. Tony was a longtime member of St. Anthony Catholic Church in Fort Sumner, a member of the Knights of Columbus, Fraternal Order of Eagles, and the D.A.V. in Clovis. Tony is preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 69 years Corina Gonzales on July 3, 2022, a brother Arturo Gonzales in 2016, sister Corrine Casaus in 2013, and a grandson Charles Stinson. Survivors include four children Theresa Bauman (George Wild) of Barre, Vermont, Carlos Gonzales Sr (Lizbeth) of Lakeland, Florida, Michael Gonzales (Daphne) of Clovis, New Mexico, and Maria Gauna of Lubbock, Texas. He is also survived by one brother Tito Gonzales of Fort Sumner, 14 grandchildren, 46 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great-grandchildren. Holy rosary and a funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 am Friday, December 16, 2022 at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Fort Sumner, NM with Father Sotero A. Sena officiating. Interment with U.S. Army Military Honors will follow at St. Anthony Cemetery. Pallbearers will be grandsons, Tony Gonzales, A.J. Gonzales, Noah Gonzales, Josh Gauna, Carlos A. Gonzales, Jeremy Gauna, Nathan Salcido, Jarrod Gauna, Claudio Gonzales. Arrangements are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home, 830 N. Fifth Street, Fort Sumner, New Mexico. (575) 355-2311.