Felix B. Gonzales

Felix B.Gonzales, fondly called Mr. "G" by the many students he mentored throughout his life, passed away to be with our Lord on September 22, 2020 at the age of 72. He was born on October 29, 1947 to Felix Gonzales and Jesusa “Susie” Benavidez in San Antonio, Texas. He is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Arthur Gonzales, Sr.; sisters, Eva “Tootsie” Gonzales and Olivia “Matzie" Morin; nephew, T.J.; and niece, Cindy. Felix is survived by his sister, Ofelia Olsen; nieces and nephews, Art Jr., Thomas, Patsy, Rita, Carl, Kenny, David, Carol, Ramona; and a host of numerous great nieces, nephews, and friends.

Felix B. Gonzales, a native San Antonian, received a bachelor’s degree in music and education from Our Lady of the Lake University and taught music in the public school system for four years. He began his funeral service career in 1977 performing clerical duties and eventually becoming responsible for insurance and pre-need funeral sales and marketing. Realizing that a professional license was necessary to secure a desirable position, he enrolled in the Mortuary Science Program of San Antonio College and received an Associate in Mortuary Science degree.

He was appointed to the Mortuary Science faculty in August, 1985, and eventually lead the program as Chair of the Mortuary Science Program. Shortly after his hiring, Felix earned a Master of Science in Health Professions degree from Southwest Texas State University. He was responsible for the significant revisions to the funeral service curriculum now in place. As a tenured faculty member and administrator, at one time or another he taught all funeral service courses. He served on various College and professional committees. He was also listed as the Funeral-Director-in-Charge of the San Antonio College Mortuary, a licensed funeral establishment.

In addition to his teaching, Felix served on numerous accreditation teams, and as a consultant to the Texas Funeral Service Commission and the State Attorney General’s office in legal issues related to funeral service. He made numerous professional and civic presentations at the local, state, and national levels and lectured in Canada. He also served as an expert witness in numerous cases involving funeral establishments.

Recently, Texas Funeral Directors Association, South Central Chapter, recognized Felix B. Gonzales with the Ed. C. Smith Lifetime Achievement Award for his commitment to Funeral Service Education. In his thirty-five year career, Felix touched the lives of countless students and over seven-hundred licensed funeral directors throughout the state of Texas.

Mr."G” was a dedicated advocate for his students. In lieu of flowers, please consider making
a donation to Rho Sigma Gamma, a mortuary science student organization which he established many years ago. Donations to Rho Sigma Gamma may be made on the Puente and Sons Funeral Chapels website. All funds will be used to assist deserving students in pursuit of a professional career in funeral service.