https://projects.latimes.com/wardead/name/tony-j-gonzales/ The latest user comments on Tony J. Gonzales en-us https://projects.latimes.com/wardead/name/tony-j-gonzales/#c180411 https://projects.latimes.com/wardead/name/tony-j-gonzales/#c180411 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 Sun, 24 May 2015 10:46:07 -0700 https://projects.latimes.com/wardead/name/tony-j-gonzales/#c121222 https://projects.latimes.com/wardead/name/tony-j-gonzales/#c121222 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. Mon, 27 May 2013 12:03:54 -0700 https://projects.latimes.com/wardead/name/tony-j-gonzales/#c53857 https://projects.latimes.com/wardead/name/tony-j-gonzales/#c53857 i will never forget tony and how he always had a smile on his face! me and him would get up at 0500 to fly a uav and i would be in such a crappy mode, and leave it to tony to smile and say something to make me laugh! i miss him like he was my brother! the day of his memorial in Iraq i couldn't help but cry! if tony's mom and dad read this i have a few vidieos i can send you that i have of me and tony, please know that he was a great solider and a great friend! R.I.P BROTHER! Sat, 25 Jun 2011 01:51:46 -0700 https://projects.latimes.com/wardead/name/tony-j-gonzales/#c43495 https://projects.latimes.com/wardead/name/tony-j-gonzales/#c43495 My dearest soldier, I didn't know you, but I want to thank you for your sacrifice. My dear parents are buried there with you. My father is Larry D. Owen, staff seargent in the Marine Corps from 1954-58. Take care of each other in heaven. Rest in peace! Tue, 28 Dec 2010 04:29:38 -0800 https://projects.latimes.com/wardead/name/tony-j-gonzales/#c43026 https://projects.latimes.com/wardead/name/tony-j-gonzales/#c43026 I don't know this soldiers as I'm just visiting the LA Times website. I thank him and his family for his dedication to our county. Thank you for keeping America free and protecting our beliefs. It's because heroes like you my very young daughter will be able to live freely in this wonderful country. Thank you from the bottom of my heart! As his anniversary of his death nears, know that his dedication to our country and sacrifice will never be forgotten. RIP Thu, 16 Dec 2010 09:56:22 -0800 https://projects.latimes.com/wardead/name/tony-j-gonzales/#c10222 https://projects.latimes.com/wardead/name/tony-j-gonzales/#c10222 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 Wed, 07 Jan 2009 09:59:10 -0800 https://projects.latimes.com/wardead/name/tony-j-gonzales/#c10162 https://projects.latimes.com/wardead/name/tony-j-gonzales/#c10162 My brother Luis Perez was Married to Tony's sister Megan,When i first met tony he was really shy and quite but he was friendly,And loved to have fun .. i remember when the whole family went to lake tahoe he was trying to show me how to throw a horse shoe but i couldn't . that day was really fun . Tony will never be forgotten and he will always be in our hearts and prayers.he is now in a better place . one day when it is our turn we will see him again . he is now with god and the angels .my prayers are with the gonzales family . Wed, 31 Dec 2008 04:28:47 -0800 https://projects.latimes.com/wardead/name/tony-j-gonzales/#c10159 https://projects.latimes.com/wardead/name/tony-j-gonzales/#c10159 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! Wed, 31 Dec 2008 06:47:46 -0800 https://projects.latimes.com/wardead/name/tony-j-gonzales/#c10152 https://projects.latimes.com/wardead/name/tony-j-gonzales/#c10152 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. Tue, 30 Dec 2008 06:30:33 -0800