Oscar Gonzales Sr.

** Video Tribute Can Be Viewed Below ** Oscar A. Gonzales Sr. of Belle Fourche, SD died June 7, 2017 in Modesto, CA. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 9:00 a.m., Saturday, August 12, 2017 at St. Paul Catholic Church in Belle Fourche, SD. There will be no visitation. Inurnment will take place at The Pineslope Cemetery immediately after the service. Funeral arrangements are with Leverington Funeral Home of the Northern Hills in Belle Fourche. Oscar was born in Rock Springs, TX on March 20, 1937 to Cruz and Dominga (Arispe) Gonzales. He attended school in Rock Springs, TX. There he met the Love of His Life Jane (Juanita) Acosta Gomez. They were united in marriage on October 31, 1959. Following their marriage, they lived in Texas for a couple of years before moving to Ekalaka, MT where Oscar worked as a Ranch Hand. Eventually, Oscar and Jane moved South Dakota. They lived in Lead, SD before eventually moving to Belle Fourche. Oscar worked at the Brick Plant in Belle Fourche for a few years. He also worked for the Belle Fourche School System as a Custodian and the Home Stake Gold Mine. His longest employment was at Baroid Bentonite Corp which was bought out by Halliburton. Oscar was a heavy equipment operator at the plant for over 20 years. Oscar retired from Halliburton to take care of his wife, Jane (due to health issues). Shortly after Jane passed away, Oscar was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. His daughter, Lynda Schmidt took him to Denver, CO to doctor there. He made many trips to Denver. He became very familiar with Denver and was a pro at getting around the Denver Metro Area. Denver was like a second home to Oscar as he had a son, Sam and his family and a daughter, Lynda and her family living in the Denver area. Oscar loved the Great Outdoors. He loved to hunt and fish. He also loved spending time with his family and friends. Oscar and his daughter Lynda made many trips to Texas every year to spend time with his family and friends. Oscar will be greatly missed by family and friends. Oscar is survived by two daughters and three sons. – Lynda Schmidt, Arvada, CO - Larissa (John) Noriega, Modesto, CA – Oscar Gonzales Jr, Belle Fourche, SD – Sam (Barb) Gonzales, Thornton, CO – Leroy (Andrea) Gonzales, Belle Fourche. Oscar is survived by 10 grandchildren – Tanner Gonzales and Shawna Tibbs, Las Vegas, NV – Chelsea Schmidt, Lakewood, CO – Tyler Gonzales, Samantha Gonzales, Nicholas Gonzales, and Austin Gonzales, Thornton, CO – Shelby Noriega, Modesto, CA, - Tyson Gonzales, Alaska, and Franke Jo Gonzales, Belle Fourche, SD and 2 Step-Grand Kids. Oscar is also survived by one sister and two brothers – Mimi (Jacinto) Tafolla, Mineral Wells, TX – Amaro (Mary) Gonzales, Mineral Wells, TX, and Ruben (Pedia) Gonzales, Eldorado, TX. In addition to his brothers and sister, he is survived by many nieces and nephews in the big state of Texas. Oscar was preceded in death by his parents, Cruz and Dominga Gonzales, his wife Jane (Juanita) Gonzales, a twin sister, Oralia (who passed away at age 4), an infant son, Angel Gonzales, and a Grandson, Mykel Lamb.