Octaviano "Tony" Gonzalez

OCTAVIANO "TOBY" GONZALEZ
SAN JUAN - Octaviano (Tano/Tony) Gonzalez 86, went to be with our Lord Jesus Christ on January 11, 2021, at his home surrounded by his beloved family.
Tony entered into the world on February 1, 1934 and was raised in Pharr, Texas. He is preceded in death by his parents Leopoldo and Manuela Rios Gonzalez, his wife Elevinia Garza Gonzalez, his brother Leopoldo A. Gonzalez, and numerous aunts, uncles, nephews, and nieces.
He is survived by his four children, Edward Paul (Veronica) Gonzalez of League City, Mary Ann Gonzalez of San Juan, Susan Diane Leal of Pharr, and Sandra Dee Gonzalez of San Juan. Nine grandchildren: James Paul and John Michael Gonzalez, Christi-Anne (Hyrum) Pereira, Major Robert (Cruz) Gonzalez, Rubi-Anne (Mario) Ontiveros, Dr. Jonathan Leal, Alyssa Jalomo, Steven and Brieanna Almendarez, seven great grandchildren Courtnee Alaniz, Cody Pereira, Hektor and Teresa Gonzalez, Aden, Caleb, and Camila Ontiveros. One brother Jose P. (Sandra) Gonzalez, one sister Cristina Gunter, one brother-in-law Pablo Garza Jr. and numerous nieces and nephews, aunt, and cousins. Pallbearers include: Steven Almendarez, Rene Garza Jr., James Paul and John Michael Gonzalez, Mario Ontiveros, and Armando Salazar.
Tony attended and graduated as a junior graduate from Pharr-San Juan-Alamo High School in 1952. He attended North Texas University and graduated in 1956 receiving a bachelor's degree in Business Administration. After college graduation, he went to work for American Foreign Power Corporation in New York City where he was being trained as an executive trainee in preparation to work in Latin America. In 1956, Tony was drafted into US Army and served in the European Theater for 2 years; afterwards, he proudly served in the US Army reserves until 1962. After serving his country in Europe, Tony returned to the Rio Grande Valley and worked as the assistant business manager for the Farmers Gin Cooperative Association in San Juan for 15 years. Tony then opened his own business in 1972 called Circle G Fried Chicken located in San Juan and then added a 2nd location in Edinburg in 1976. He managed both restaurants until he sold the Edinburg location in 1982. In 2001, he and his wife sold the original location and retired in April so that they may enjoy life, travel and spend time with their family.
In 1976, Tony was elected to serve as a director of Security State Bank in Pharr, Texas. This was a great honor for him as being one of the first two Hispanic directors to serve on the Security State Bank Board. He proudly served for over 20 years helping needy people obtain bank loans and credit.
Education was a strong priority value for Tony as this was emphasized through many years of service including teaching adult education for parents at night. Tony also worked tirelessly for the children of the Rio Grande Valley by proudly serving for a combined 44 years with both the PSJA school board for 19 years and South Texas ISD for 25 years. Throughout the years, Tony served as the National School Board Director for 2 years, Texas Association of School Boards for 9 years, the National Association of Latino Appointed & Elected Officials for 2 years, the Texas School Services Foundation for 5 years, as well as the National School Board Federal Relations Network for 35 years. Tony was one of the founders of the National Hispanic Caucus (NHC) on the National School Board Association (NSBA), as well as associated with the Mexican American School Boards Association (MASBA). He was elected to serve on the NSBA board in Arlington, Virginia for 2 years. This was a great honor for him, since he was only the fourth Hispanic in the Nation to serve on the NSBA and has been the only Hispanic from Texas. While serving on the National Association, he was elected Hispanic Caucus President of the National Association of School Boards. For over 30 years, Tony would attend yearly conferences in Washington, DC to lobby for federal funds for our schools and to keep our congressmen and senators up to date on the needs of our valley schools. In May of 1999, Tony was selected as Man of the Year by the City of San Juan, TX in appreciation for his valuable contribution to the community of San Juan. In 2000, he was presented the Abrazo Award for his dedication, love, and commitment for children and for public education by NSBA. In 2003, MASBA held a celebration in San Antonio honoring Octaviano "Tony" Gonzalez for his leadership and dedicated services to the students of the Nation and the State of Texas. In 2015, the NSBA renamed the Abrazo Award in his honor and it is now called the Octaviano Gonzalez Award. Finally, in January 2015 South Texas Independent School District honored Tony with the dedication of a building named in his honor at South Texas High School for Health Professions (Med-High) which was recognized by The Senate of The State of Texas.
Tony and his beloved wife were devout and faithful Catholics that served for many years as Eucharistic ministers, lectors, CYO sponsors and CCD teachers of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church and the Basilica of San Juan. He and his wife took the body of Christ to the sick for over 44 years, and shared being members of The Universal Cursillo Movement. Tony served on the Board of Trustees for the Charitable Trust for the Diocese of Brownsville. Tony and his wife loved traveling on cruises and church tours; with their favorite being the tour of the Holy Land. His most memorable spot in the Holy Land was visiting the city of Canaan where Jesus performed his first miracle. It was there, in Canaan, where he and his wife renewed their wedding vows and celebrated 62 years of marriage. Tony is the paragon of how a man, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, friend and citizen should be. His entrepreneurial spirit guided his actions to be productive, helpful and kind. He will be missed by many.
Military honors will be conducted by VFW 7473 of Elsa.
Visitation will be held at Memorial Funeral Home in San Juan on Monday January 18, 2021 beginning at 5 pm with a rosary to follow at 6 pm. Military honors will be conducted on Tuesday morning, January 19, 2021, at 8:45 at Memorial Funeral Home. A Catholic funeral mass will follow at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church at 9:30 am with interment to follow at Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery.
The family would like to thank Dr. Alfredo V. Gonzalez, Dr. James Castillo, the nurses from DHR Hospice, along with Faith and Blessings for their endless support and comfort. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be given to St. John the Baptist Catholic Church.
Funeral services are under the direction of Memorial Funeral Home in San Juan.