Memorial for Michael “Gonzo” Gonzales

Dear friends, family, and brothers in arms of our beloved Michael “Gonzo” Gonzales,

Michael recently passed away on 10 January 2021. Michael was an incredible brother, father, son, and friend to all those whose lives he touched. He leaves behind his father Tony, his sister’s Abby and Christy, his brother’s John and Jesse, and son Grayson.

Michael believed in duty, honor, and country. He served in the United States Army as a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division, America’s Guard of Honor. Michael deployed 5 times into harm’s way; 4 deployments to Iraq and 1 deployment to Afghanistan. Michael was an Infantryman who earned his Expert and Combat Infantryman’s Badges. Michael served his country for 13 years. He was a leader and mentor to not only his soldiers, but to peers and leaders alike. Some of his brother’s in arms had these things to say about him:

“I'm gonna miss you bro. Thank you for the good times. You were a damn good NCO and a better friend.”

“Every position I served in while I was in the Army, Gonzo was my boss. When I was promoted to Team Leader, he was the Squad Leader. When I was promoted to Squad Leader, he took over the platoon. And, when he left the platoon as the acting Platoon Sergeant, I stepped into his shoes. We were badasses, and we were badasses because of this guy.”

“He ran things with an iron fist, demanded respect and then took the rank off to mentor you and invite you to his house on the weekend. Countless times during my career I would say, what would Gonzo do?”

I am currently asking for donations to help cover the costs of Michael’s funeral.  It is our wish to have Michael buried alongside his late Mother, Sandy Whitehead in Boise, Idaho. We will need to pay the for the plot, a headstone, and any extra funeral costs for Michael by.  

Additional donations above and beyond the costs of Michael’s funeral will be utilized to open a college savings account for his 8-year-old son Grayson.

Please considering donating if you can do so. The family and I appreciate all the prayers, thoughts, and words of encouragement during this difficult time. We are grateful and appreciative of everyone who has reached out to us asking for ways to help. We cannot thank you enough.

 

With love,

For Gonzo