Rene Carlos Gonzalez
December 16, 1936 ~ September 18, 2012
Born in:
El Paso, TX
Resided in:
Duluth, GA
Rene Carlos Gonzalez, age 75, of Duluth died September 18. He is survived by his wife of 48 years Leah Gilbreath Gonzalez, daughters Teresa G. Wilkinson of San Jose CA and Rachel S. Gonzalez of Oakland CA, son-in-law Clayton Wilkinson and grandchildren Sean, Margot, and James Wilkinson of San Jose CA; also sister Lillian Werthmann of El Paso TX and brothers Raul E. Gonzalez of Sunnyvale CA and Richard R. Gonzalez of San Lorenzo NM. He was born in El Paso TX December 16, 1936 and was preceded in death by brother Oscar D. Gonzalez and parents Virginia Islas and Ysidro Gonzalez, all of El Paso. Rene was a graduate of Texas Western College, and as a member of the US Army, he did biological research in the Science and Engineering Unit at Dugway Proving Ground in Utah. While at Dugway he was recruited to teach French in the base school and developed a passion for teaching. He did graduate work at San Francisco State College and received a Secondary Teaching Credential. After teaching science and French in secondary schools for several years, he earned a Ph.D. at the University of California, Berkeley, and accepted a position at the National Institute of Education in Washington DC. In 1993 he was appointed acting director of the Office of Bilingual Education and Minority Language Affairs at the US Department of Education. He retired in 1996 as a Senior Research Analyst from the Office of Educational Research and Improvement. After living in Reston VA for 23 years, he moved to Georgia, and was employed part time by Elachee Nature Center, Duluth Montessori School, and Gwinnett County Public Schools. A memorial service will be held at 2 pm on October 20 at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Gwinnett, 12 Bethesda Church Road, Lawrenceville GA. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Amnesty International or the Memorial Garden Fund at UUCG. Wages & Sons Gwinnett Chapel.
Sincere condolences for your loss. May God bring you comfort during this difficult time. Isaiah 25:8
Dear Leah, Jeanie and I were very sad to hear about the death of Rene. We have you and your family in our prayers. I remember him as a kind and loving man and he touched the lives of many people. We know he will be greatly missed. Much love to all. Jim
My deepest sympathies to Leah, Rachel, and Teresa and family. I pray that God comfort all members of Rene’s family with many happy memories. I feel privileged to be related to such a distinguished and accomplished man. God bless you all. With love from cousin IrmaYslasEscarcega Mrs.John Escarcega, Tombstone AZ.
I traveled with Rene and Leah on two RV caravans where I immensely enjoyed time I spent with Rene. I was looking forward to another trip scheduled for next fall. He will be sorely missed then, but will be remembered always.
I’m truly sorry for your loss. Death is never an easy thing to experience. But there is hope that you can one day see him again. In the book of John it says that all those in the memorial tombs will hear Jesus voice and come out to a resurrection. No more tears will we shed nor pain will we feel. God promises at Revelation that he will wipe out every tear from our eyes and death will be no more. I hope these words of encouragement help the family be more at peace.
We will cherish the memories of socializing with Rene at RV rallies and traveling together on a caravan. His cheery smile and love affair with ice cream are fondly remembered. He will be sadly missed. Our hearts go out to Leah and the family.
Soon the “God of all comfort” will put an end to sickness and death for all time. Isaiah 33:24 My sincere condolences to the Gonzalez amily.