Tony J. Gonzales, 20

Army, Specialist

Based: Baumholder, Germany

1st Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division

Supporting: Operation Iraqi Freedom

Died: December 28, 2008

Sadr City, Iraq

Single

Gender: Male

Hometown: Newman

High School: Freedom Alternative High (Turlock)

Burial: San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery, Santa Nella, Calif.

Gonzales, the youngest of four children and the only son, was known as TJ to his family and friends. His father had served in the Air Force and had spent 30 years on the police force in nearby Los Gatos. TJ grew up riding around in his father’s patrol car and dreaming of one day wearing an officer's uniform.

Benjamin B. Tollefson, 12/31/2008

Aaron M. Allen, 11/14/2008

Nine memories of Tony J. Gonzales

“

I have known TJ for about 9 years. I met him when he was 12 years old and I became good friends with his mom.
In the years after that meeting my whole family became very close to TJ and his family.
My children (especially my oldest daughter Jessie) felt as if TJ was like a cousin to them.
Though we have many memories of TJ the one that stands out in my mind the most was when he was 12 or 13 and we went to have pizza and he sat and told me his lifes plan. He knew what he wanted out of his life even at that young age.
He wanted to finish school and go in to the army and then spend the rest of his life as a police officer to follow in his dad's footsteps.
I thought even back them how sweet it was that he had his whole life planned out.
He will be missed very much...and our love and prayers go out to his family.

” — Serene Vargas, December 30, 2008 at 6:30 p.m.

“

Everyone back home knew him as TJ, but those who served with him knew him as Gonzo. Gonzo was such a loving and kind hearted individual. He would go out of his way to make sure those around him were happy.

All Gonzo ever talked about was being like his dad. He had so much respect for Tony and looked up to him so much that he made up his young mind that after he left the Army he wanted to go into Law Enforcement. This is all we ever talked about. We both wanted to be cops. I don't know anyone who would have protected us better than Gonzo.

To Tony's family and friends, he loved you very much and was so proud of ya'll. I want you to know that he'll never be forgotten! My prayers are with you in these difficult times, God bless you all!

” — Arthur Faust (SGT), December 31, 2008 at 6:47 a.m.

“

Dear T.J.,
Today, Cameron and I will join your family and friends to say “Goodbye” to you.
I still remember, about ten years ago, when your parents brought you and your sisters along for pre Christmas visit at our house in the Los Gatos hills. You were so excited by the number of doors you counted.
I also remember you helping your dad keeping all the kids safe during the Los Gatos Christmas parades.
Last week we heard that you had paid the ultimate price in the defense of your and our country.
We are sad that you had to give up your entire adulthood so the ones you are leaving behind can enjoy the many wonderful blessings that the United States offers.
From now on, whenever I open a door in our house or drive through the streets of Los Gatos I will think about you and your boyish charming demeanor.
When my time comes, I will look for you.
I know exactly where you will be; in the Temple of Heros.
Simin, Natalie, Cameron, and I bid you adieu until we meet again

” — Dieter Schmidt, January 7, 2009 at 9:59 a.m.

“

I met TJ through the Police Explorer program in Newman. We became really good friends. I remember all the great times we had watching movies at his house, playing Airsoft in his huge backyard. Perhaps one of the greatest memories was seeing how well TJ and his father got along. I remember one time TJ and I were in his bedroom watching a movie, and his father knocked on the door quickly and shouted, "Police! Search warrant!" and entered the room with a basket of laundry, dumping it all over TJ as he sat on the floor. I couldn't stop laughing. After high school, TJ and I sort of lost contact, and I had heard he went into the Army. I was proud of him for accomplishing something he'd always wanted to do.

When I learned of his death, I was deeply saddened. At the funeral, I managed to hold myself together until I saw his Father crying. I can't imagine the pain his family felt. The entire town stepped up behind his family in a great show of support, as well as many local law enforcement officers.

RIP, my friend. You will never be forgotten. One day we will meet again. We have much to catch up on.

” — Andrew Mays, May 27, 2013 at 12:03 p.m.

“

I went to OSUT with Tony at Fort Knox from August to December of 2006. TJ always had a positive spirit about him and kept things light whenever the stresses of bootcamp got us down. He was called Sickboy by our drill sergeants as he tended to have a red runny nose the first few weeks up until we went through the gas chamber together. DS Castro put us at the front of the chow line often and followed us through line making sure the servers always gave us extra food. They called it the cancer patient diet. I think we both gained about 20 pounds while others around us were continually dropping weight as they got in better shape.

I didn't find out about TJ's death until the summer of 2010. I was stationed at FOB Hawk, a military base just south of Baghdad, and in a dining room set aside for special events, I found a plaque with his picture placed on the wall in his memory.

TJ will never be forgotten as long as his brothers live.

-SPC Jonathan Branyon II

” — Jonathan Branyon, May 24, 2015 at 10:46 a.m.

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Sources: Times research, Defense Department, iCasualties.org

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Tony J. Gonzales, 20

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Nine memories of Tony J. Gonzales

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