Gonzales, Joe “Lou”

GOODING, Idaho (KMVT/KSVT) — Joe “Lou” Gonzales, resident of Gooding, passed away on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, at St. Alphonsus Medical Center in Boise.

Lou was born, March 29, 1940, on his family farm, the son of Joe and Duby Gonzales. He began his education in Shoshone and completed in Gooding. Lou joined the army in 1963 and served in Germany and Hawaii. He told many stories of serving in the radio tower and playing solitaire for hours upon hours.

Once he was discharged, he returned to Gooding, where he met Lorel Baker. The two of them spent many hours at the Lincoln Inn, where Lou loved to dance and listen to his brother sing. The two were married in 1969 and settled in Gooding to raise their family, where Lou remained until his passing.

Lou worked for the railroad, Wilson Bates, the City of Gooding, and the Methodist Church. Lou’s true passion has always been sports. He was a lifetime fan of the Green Bay Packers, Notre Dame, NY Yankees, and Boston Celtics. He loved coaching his son’s soccer, basketball, and baseball teams. Lou could also be found as a showboat umpire during his daughter’s softball games. He rarely missed a sporting event his children were in, and this dedication continued with his grandchildren. He spent many years cheering middle and high school soccer, football, basketball, and softball teams, watching his grandchildren play or son coach. He was also a scout leader for the Eagle Scouts.

Lou enjoyed time spent with his family. Summers in Lagoon and Seaside, Christmases at the cabin, and many occasions, sitting with his siblings; eating burgers and watermelon and singing songs until all hours. Music was an important part of the Gonzales family and Lou was singing the classics until his passing. There was not a genre of music Lou did not love, from Beethoven to Beach Boys, but his favorite was always the 50’s.

Lou is survived by his wife Lorel; sons Nick (Cyndi) and Craig Gonzales and daughter Shanna (Michael) Liborio; grandchildren Derek (Sharon) Higson, Tayler (Jaydon) Rossman, Kassidi Gonzales, Jayson Liborio, Kylee Liborio and Cadyn Liborio; sister Georgia (Eldon) Wright and many nieces and nephews.

Lou was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Toni, Barbara, Fran, Stella, Rita, and Josie, brother Joe Jr., nephew, niece, and multiple cousins.

A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. at Demaray Funeral Service—Gooding Chapel. Burial will follow at the Elmwood Cemetery in Gooding.

Condolences, memories, and photos can be shared with the family by following the obituary link at www.demarayfuneralservice.com.

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