Lionel Gonzalez

Lionel B. Gonzalez, 80, died surrounded by his loving wife, sons and daughters Friday, June 6, 2014 after a long and happy life devoted to his family and community. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, June 11, 2014, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Hamlin, with burial following at Hamlin Memorial Cemetery. ation will be held from 6:007:00 p.m. Monday, June 9, 2014, at AdamsFosterRay Funeral Home. A Rosary will be prayed at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 10, 2014, at the AdamsFosterRay Funeral Home Chapel.

Lionel was born on May 7th, 1934 San Vicente Neuvo Leon Mexico. At the age of 5 Lionel immigrated with his parents and family to Bishop Texas where his parents Olivio and Aurora Gonzalez raised their 9 children in the farming community.
In 1950, the Gonzalez family moved to Hamlin for the lucrative cotton economy, where the Gonzalez and Rivera families intersected. Lionel met Rosa and after a two year courtship wed in 1955. Together they worked in the farming community and were blessed with 7 children.

In 1963 Lionel completed Barber College in Abilene and began his barber career in Rotan where he worked to provide for his family and build his own barber shop in Hamlin. In 1965, Gonzalez Barber Shop opened for business, and a long career of cutting hair for many generations of men young and old began. Lionel was committed to the community, keeping his haircut prices reasonable while delivering sports and political opinions for free.

Throughout his life Lionel had a passion for raising livestock, gardening and raising pecans. Lionel won many blue ribbons for his pecans.

Lionel was preceded in death by his parents Olivio and Aurora Gonzalez, his brothers Santiago and Olivio Jr. and his son Lionel Jr.

Lionel is survived by his wife Rosa, his brother Oscar Gonzalez of Arlington, his brother Thomas Gonzalez of Biloxi MS, his sisters Gregoria Romero of Hamlin TX, Guillerma Esparza of Bakersfield CA, Aurora Montoya of Abilene TX and Jesusa Morales of Abilene TX. Lionel is survived by his children Rene Gonzalez and his wife Lori of Riverside CA, Roger Gonzalez and his wife Jan of Waco TX, Irma Rankin and her husband David of Fort Worth TX, Lucia Kastler and her husband Bill of Plano TX, Hilda Caballero and her husband Jamie of Fort Worth TX and Eric Gonzalez and wife Dana of Highland Village TX. His survivors also includes his grandchildren Adam Gonzalez, Matthew Gonzalez, Jeremy Gonzalez, Jay Kyle Obenoskey, Jon Kevin Obenoskey, Sandy Wright, David Rankin, Jessica Martinez, Alejandra Martinez, Trevor Caballero, Ezra Caballero, Erica Hipps, Kayla Gonzalez and Payton Veach. Lionel has two great grandchildren Baylee Hipps and Abigail Kreiger. He is also survived by countless nieces, nephews, and other extended family.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers a contribution be made to the The Lionel B. Gonzalez Barber School Scholarship Fund held at the Hamlin National Bank. A Scholarship will be awarded to individuals interested in entering Barber School through the submission of an application through regional high school counselors or regional barber schools encouraging the continued barber services to the region Lionel loved.

Visitation

AdamsFosterRay Funeral Home
505 NW 5th Street
Hamlin, TX  79520
Monday, June 9, 2014
6:007:00 p.m.

Service

Rosary

AdamsFosterRay Funeral Home Chapel
505 NW 5th St.
Hamlin, TX  79520
Tuesday, June 10, 2014
7:00 p.m.

Mass of Christian Burial

Holy Trinity Catholic Church
1 mi. N of Traffic Light on US-83
Hamlin, TX  79520
Wednesday, June 11, 2014
10:00 a.m.

Cemetery

Hamlin Memorial Cemetery
East of Hamlin on TX-92
Hamlin, TX  79520

Memorial Contributions

Lionel Gonzalez Barber School Scholarship
c/o Hamlin National Bank
Hamlin, TX  79520