Jordy Gonzales

Jordy Lee Gonzales embraced the world with his presence and love on August 26, 1984 sporting blond hair and the blondest, longest eyelashes. He had a face his mother fell in love with and was a tiny little guy who became the tallest of the 7 siblings before him.

As he grew, so did his bright red hair, beautiful curls, and tremendously daring behavior. He was known in our neighborhood as a Dennis the menace and everyone knew to watch out for flying balls.  He loved sports and baseball was his passion. He began to play as a small child in the Uvalde Little League and progressed to adult leagues as he aged. You could always find him on a field or in a batting cage as he loved to practice and would run through baseball bats like he made them. His love for the Yankee's was deep and he dreamed of heading to the Bronx to watch them play.

Growing up he had a spunky zest that led to excitement along with risk taking.  He always knew he could probably get into a little trouble at home but lived life to the fullest.  His rambunctiousness included the replacement of a shattered windshield from a rock being hit to the alley while a car drove by; and several episodes of lost and found at stores in the clothing racks, or at home napping in the towel cabinet while a search party and fear ensued. He also loved to wrestle like Hulk Hogan and played like Leonardo of the Ninja Turtles. "Cowabunga" was a definite word we heard at least 100 times a day at home.  Through all this "Papito" as his mother called him, was loved and could always be found hanging out with his older brother trying to sneak a Budweiser or his sisters and their friends being a prankster.

His teenage years shined with his talent in music, playing piano, drums, and guitar.  He learned to play many songs by ear, never reading notes off a sheet, and played with a couple garage bands he was proud of.   Never was he embarrassed to rock to New Kids on the Block, or One Direction, and he could be found working out to Metallica, or John Michael Montgomery and we swear at one point in his life he thought he was "The real Slim Shady".

All grown up he became an avid cyclist and loved road biking.  He completed the Live Strong Marathon in Austin honoring the late Chelsea Ramirez and his Tia Sylvia's win against cancer.  His love for jujitsu also grew and we learned he has led some to uptake this sport. He loved animals, the outdoors, and adventures.

Jordan met his future wife Rachel Heath in San Antonio, Texas October 2016 while she was exercising at the Gold’s gym he worked. They were a couple for 2 years prior to marrying on 13 March 2019 in Belton, TX. Rachel is serving in the U.S. Army and Jordan followed her to her current military assignment at Ft. Benning, Columbus, GA. Pursuing his passion for sports he continued his college studies working towards a degree in Kinesiology from Columbus State University. His ambition was to become a physical therapist for a major sports team.

Jordan, as he loved to be called, became a great man with a big heart who cared for all. He always made it a point to rush home to momma in her times of need and never failed to let more than 2 days go by without a call to her.  He cared just as much for his in-laws as they became his home away from home. He was always checking in on his siblings and when he was home he loved spending time with family, especially his nieces and nephews, and the many cousins he grew up with. He left our world to join God at the age of 37, on August 27, 2021. He is dearly missed and not a day will go by that his red headed, freckled face won't be thought of.

He is survived by his loving mother whom he absolutely adored, Ms. Ester Ybarra, beautiful wife SSG (E6) Rachel Heath Gonzales, his fur babies Synister, Rocko, Layla, Uga, and his pride and joy the late Stryker kitty

Brothers: Andres "June" Ybarra and wife Isabel, Arnold "Boy" Silva and wife Rita, Sisters: Sonia Penalosa and husband Anselmo, Mary Alice Ybarra Ramos and husband Johnny, Angelica "Angel" Silva, Judy Estrada and husband Luis,  Julie Gonzales.

Grandmother Yolanda Gonzales

In laws, Mr. & Mrs. John and Sang Song Heath, who he loved dearly, sister in law Sabrina and husband Aziel Ferguson.

13 nieces and nephews, 12 great nieces and nephews, numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins

Visitation will begin on Wednesday, September 8, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. followed by a recitation of the Holy Rosary at 7:00 p.m. at Rushing-Estes-Knowles Mortuary.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, September 9, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church

Private interment to follow.

Pallbearers: Goddaughter, Alesandra "Cheeks" Gonzales, Rylan "Gordo" Diaz, Luis Estrada, Anselmo "Chemo" Penalosa, Adrian "Reb" Penalosa, Fredrick Newberry, Javier Briones, Brian Ortiz, Chris Bermea,

Honorary Pallbearers:  Andres "Andy" Silva, Io "Brucie" Alekxi Estrada, Aziel Ferguson, Andres “June” Ybarra, Arnold “Boy” Silva