Jake F. Gonzales

Jake F Gonzales was called home to our Lord on Friday, September 13th, 2024. Jake lived a long and adventurous life. He was deeply loved, and his brilliant mind, infectious laugh and kind heart will be missed. 

Jake was born in Albuquerque on February 23rd, 1936. Jake was a man of deep faith. He was baptized and served as an altar boy at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Jake attended St. Mary’s Catholic school 1st through 12th grades. Ever the student, Jake went on to earn degrees from both St. Joseph’s College and The University of New Mexico.  

Jake worked at Sandia National Laboratories for 41 years. While Jake was earning his first college degree, he was a member of the Air National Guard and he worked entry level jobs at Sandia Labs, one of those jobs being maintenance and janitorial services. Jake was quickly promoted through the ranks at Sandia Labs. Jake’s longest and most successful tenure he served as their Defense and Space Division Director. Jake’s expertise and knowledge led him to Los Alamos Labs where he collaborated with their Defense and Space team on important and secret projects. Jake was an active and valued member of The American Society for Mechanical Engineers. 

Jake was a family man and a dedicated father. Jake met his wife Dina at St. Mary’s HS. They married young and immediately started a family. Jake liked to keep things fun! He coached his son’s little league baseball and football teams and when their abilities surpassed his coaching knowledge, Jake became an ever-supportive father and fan. Jake attended every ballet recital; gymnastics meet and cheerleader event of his daughters’ as well. Jake valued family time. He decided that his family was going to be a skiing family. Jake bought a boat, and a motor home then taught the entire family, all our cousins and most of Manzano HS how to water ski. He had so much fun with that project that he decided to repeat it with snow skiing. You could find Jake at Jake Anthony or Don’s football games, Gina’s Cheer events, the Lake or the Mountains.  

Jake also enjoyed golfing, Deer and Quail hunting and Skeet Shooting. In his later years, Jake was the Arizona 5-time Skeet Shooting Champion. He was an avid gun collector, and he owned several custom guns and rifles.  

Jake embraced his Catholic Faith and was a role model for his family. Jake was instrumental in helping Our Lady of the Assumption Church and School with funding and support. Jake served as president of NM Catholic Social Services in the 1980’s. He made sure his family was at Mass every Sunday – whether they were at the lake, the mountains or in Albuquerque, they were at mass every Sunday.  

Jake is proceeded in death by his mother, Mary Gonzales and his father, Jake Gonzales.

Jake is survived by his wife Dina Gonzales, his children and their spouses: Jake and Barbara Gonzales, Don and Tammy Gonzales, Gina and Bear Poth, his grandchildren and their spouses: Joel and Tiffany Gonzales, Shelly El Baz, Ryan and Jean Gonzales, Chelsea and Cameron Hart and Reece Gonzales, his great grandchildren: Bella Gonzales, Carys Gonzales, Soraya El Baz, Theo El Baz, Walker Hart and Wyatt Hart, his brothers: Jim Gonzales, Joe Gonzales and Martin Gonzales. 

Jake’s Memorial Service will be held in Albuquerque at Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church on Tuesday, October 22nd. The Rosary will begin at 10:30 am. The funeral mass will begin at 11:00 am.