Fred Thomas Gonzales aka Po, age 75 of Salida, CO, passed away on Saturday February 22, 2025 at the Heart of The Rockies Regional Medical Center. Mr. Gonzales was born July 23, 1949 in Salida, CO. He was one of seven children born to Joe and Deleria Gonzales. At age 18, he was drafted by the Army into the 9th Infantry Division “The Old Reliables” and served in the Vietnam War from 1967-1969. He was wounded in combat and was honorably discharged with 3 medals. He returned to Salida in May of 1969 and married the love of his life Cathy. They were married in April of 1970 in Salida and had 3 children. Mr. Gonzales owned and operated a butcher shop in Salida (Country Cut Meats), when he had to close his butcher shop, he moved the family to Denver and worked on the railroad for many years. When he retired from the railroad, he went back to being a butcher for Safeway. In 2003 when he and Cathy fully retired they moved back to Salida to be close to family and enjoy retirement.
He loved music, he played in bands in his younger days and played in local clubs in the surrounding area. His love for playing the guitar for family and friends never stopped, he always played one of his many guitars at family gatherings up until his unexpected death. He was a member of the Westminister Elks Lodge #2227. If he was not playing his guitar for and with his family, he was fishing and camping. His first granddaughter Samantha was not able to pronounce Grandpa and always called him Po and that is what he became known by his family. He is going to be missed so much by all his family and friends. Mr. Gonzales was preceded in death by his parents, son Julian Gonzales, brother Rudy Gonzales, sisters Elaine Padilla, Rosalie Martinez, brother-in-law Mario Guccione and sister-in-law Brenda Martinez. He is survived by his wife of 55 years Cathy Gonzales of Salida, Mother-in-law Bernice Martinez of Salida, sister-in-law Nancy (Ron) Martinez of Salida, brother-in-laws Raymond (Barbara) Martinez of Denver, CO, Rudy Martinez of Salida, Daughters Kim (Sonny) Gamble of Salida, CO, Cynthia (Clint) Scanga of Nathrop, CO, daughter-in-law Delila Gonzales brother Joe (Sondra) Gonzales of Texas, sisters Roberta Guccione of Salida, CO and Jeanette (Gary) Cuffe of Buena Vista, CO. Granddaughters Samantha Mundell, Sabryna Baca, Kristen Scanga, Ashly Gonzales, Alexis Gonzales and Ciera Gonzales. Grandsons Aaron (Elena) Scanga and Julian Gonzales. Great Granddaughters Haven Jimenez-Valerio, Brooklynn Martinez, Jillian Mundell, Arylah Mundell, Kaiya Gonzales and Estrella Baca. Great grandsons Chance Baca, Atlas Hunter-Scanga and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. Memorial Services are set for 11:00 AM Saturday March 15, 2025 at Lewis and Glenn Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Fairview Cemetery. On line condolences may be sent to the family at lewisandglenn.com.
