Neftali Gonzales

Neftali Gonzales, Nefty 78, of Hillsboro passed away March 21, 2008 in Waco. He was born on February 18, 1930 in Litton Springs, Texas to Anastacio and Sapopan Reyes Gonzales. He graduated from Lydia Patterson Institute in 1953, where he met is wife of 53 years, Margaret Ramirez Gonzales. He was further educated at Southern Methodist University and took the Clinical Pastoral Education course at Parkland Memorial Hospital, Dallas, TX. He served as both a volunteer and paid chaplain at Parkland Memorial Hospital for 6 years and served as a paid chaplain for Irving Community Hospital another 6 years. He worked as a shipping supervisor for American Cyanamid Company in Dallas from December 1957 through June 1987. He was a member of the West Side Optimist Club, the Thelbert Davis West Hillsboro Improvement Association and a CASA volunteer. He also completed the Citizen's Police Training program of the Hillsboro Department. He was a member of the Lake Whitney Disabled American Veterans, Chapter 215 and served as chaplain there. He attended Line Street United Methodist Church. He served the United States Armed Forces in the branch of the Army from beginning in November 1953 through November 1955, where after completing basic training in Fort Bliss, El Paso, TX, he was stationed at Silver Springs, Maryland protecting Washington D.C. and received an honorable discharge. He was preceded in death by his parents; 3 brothers, Vicente, Fermin and Daniel Gonzales and 2 sisters, Sara Castro and Lile Gomez. Survivors include his wife, Margaret; daughters Elizabeth and husband, Terry Wiseman of Irving, TX, Elaine and husband, John Carlton of Salisbury, NC; four grandsons, Andy Carlton of Salisbury, NC, Jason, Matt, Jonathan Snider of Irving, TX; granddaughter, Amy Carlton of Salisbury, NC; sister, Olivia Salinas of Sun City, TX and brother, Tommy and wife, Rosuara Gonzales of San Angelo, TX and numerous nieces and nephews.