JOSE GONZALEZ Obituary

Gonzalez, U.S. Navy (Ret.)
FTMC JOSE PETER GONZALEZ, U.S. NAVY (RET.)
August 1, 1930 September 8, 2018
Mr. Jose "Pete" Gonzalez of Manzanola, Colorado, residing in Colorado Springs, Colorado passed away peacefully on September 8, 2018 surrounded by his family at home. He was born on August 1, 1930 to Miguel and Flora (Franco) Martinez.
FTMC Gonzalez was a Navy veteran and retired after forty-five years of service in 1992. He attended Woodmen Valley Chapel and was a member of the VFW.
The year was 1947. Harry S. Truman was president. And Jose Gonzalez started his federal service career at the age of 17.
Gonzalez, with his father's written permission, enlisted in the U.S. Navy. Upon completion of bootcamp, he was assigned to the battleship USS Iowa (BB 61) as a firecontrol striker to work in the main 16 inch battery.
After transferring from Iowa, he was assigned to several types of ships including two destroyers, one carrier and three Talos guided missile cruisers. Gonzalez also had two tours of shore duty. One tour was at White Sands Proving Ground in New Mexico working on a Talos experimental project. The other tour was at the Guided Missile School at Mare Island in California as an instructor in the Talos Mark-111 computer.
Gonzalez retired from the Navy in October of 1967 and came to work for the Port Hueneme Division, Naval Surface Warfare Center in 1968.
He was assigned to the Terrier Systems Department and performed various tasks such as providing technical assistance to the Terrier fleet. Gonzalez also provided shipyard support for Terrier ships in overhaul and update.
His at-sea assignments have included weapon systems engineer, project engineer, Naval Sea Systems Command representative and Combat System Ship Qualification Trials Officer-In-Charge in support of Terrier CSSQTs, phase III modernization program and Chief of Naval Operations projects and technical evaluations.
"Highlights of my career included being project supervisor on USS Jouett (CG 29), the first West Coast ship to receive Guided Missile Cruiser/Standard Missile 2 upgrades," said Gonzalez. He also participated in CNO project DT 147 event IV testing onboard USS Mahan (DDG 42) and was project supervisor on the first Terrier production type new threat upgrade.
Gonzalez was co-recipient of the first Wayne E. Meyer/Mariner Award in 1985. The award recognizes shipriders. What he will miss about coming to work everyday is "the people I have worked and associated with all of these years," he said. "I have been fortunate to be associated with a fine group of people from all over, especially the Terrier Department."
Pete is preceded in death by his parents, Miguel "Mike" and Flora; four siblings, Luisa, John "Jean", Carmen, and Tim; and one daughter, Cindy.
He is survived by his wife, Maria; siblings, Eleanor, Elisa, and Roberto; stepchildren, Candie (Alan), Felix, Josie (Balta), and Eva (Frank); eighteen grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
It does not matter how he died. What matters is how he lived.
Nor what he gained, but what did he give?
Or what was his station but did he have heart?
How did he play his God-given part?
Did he befriend those in need?
How did the newspaper portray him?
Were many sorry when he passed away?
Was he ever ready with a word or good cheer, to bring back a smile, to banish a tear?
This is how you measure the worth of a man regardless of birth.
Memorial Service, 12:30PM, Thursday, September 13, 2018, Woodmen Valley Chapel, 290 East Woodmen Valley Road, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80919.
Inurnment at a later date, Pikes Peak National Cemetery, Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Donations in Jose's memory can be made to Wheels for the World or Legacy Ministry.
Condolences may be made to the family at The Springs Funeral Services' website, www.tsfs.co