FRANKLIN D. GONZALES

[Greeley Daily Tribune, Greeley, CO, 18 Feb 1955, Fri, Page 8]

   Franklin Delano “Speedy” Gonzales, age 81 of Burns, TN died at home on January 21, 2017.
   Mr. Gonzales was born December 9, 1935 in La Salle, Colorado. He served his Country in the U.S. Army with the Mortar Battery of the 1st Airborne Battle Group of the 501st Infantry Division. During his service, he was selected to play baseball for the Army.
   While stationed at Ft. Campbell he completed over 30 jumps and worked as a postman on the base. He transferred into the Army Reserves and received an Honorable Discharge.
   Following his military service, he began a career in the newspaper industry. He worked for the Dickson Herald from 1958 until 1976. In 1976 he purchased and operated the Dickson Free Press newspaper until 1981. He traveled around the country as part of the launch team for the USA Today newspaper which was formally launched in 1982. He retired from the Tennessean in 2006.
   Speedy was also known locally for his involvement with youth baseball. He had coached from age 7 up through age 14. He helped Dickson develop and open the baseball fields at the J. Dan Buckner Park. He also served as a State Director for Dixie Youth Baseball. Youth baseball was part of his life for over 50 years.
   Nothing meant more to Speedy than his family. “Pops” loved his grandchildren and great grandchildren, they were so special to him.
   He is preceded in death by his wife, Augusta Suzanne Ishmael Gonzales; his mother Della Marie Derrera Gonzales; his father-in-law, Leland Ishmael; his grandchildren, Keri England Victory, and Tony Franklin Gonzales.
   Franklin “Speedy” Gonzales is survived by his children, Margaret Gonzales Royal of Smyrna, TN, Troy Gonzales (Kay) of Burns, TN, Frank Gonzales (Amber) of Burns, TN, Jessica Gonzales Humbles (Andy) of Mt. Juliet, TN, Linda Gonzales Petty (Brant) of Dickson, TN; adopted son, Jose Miguel Pena of Tenerife, Canary Islands; his siblings, Jim Gonzales of Colorado, Berna Ruibal of Colorado, Mary Terrazas of California; 9 grandchildren, Cheyenne England, Erin Webb, James Gonzales, Jennifer Gonzales, Elizabeth Harris, Lance Harris, McKenzie Petty, McKayla Petty, Lane Petty, and a grandson-in-law (Keri England’s husband), Daniel Victory; 7 great grandchildren, Cale Victory, Reese Victory, Keely Webb, Hunter Webb, KylieRay Webb, Noah Gonzales, Kaiden Lynn; special friend, Freida Primm; and caregiver, Deanna Perez.
    Visitation will be held at the Taylor Funeral Home on Monday, January 23, 2017 from 4 until 8pm, and on Tuesday from 2 until 8pm. A Funeral Mass is scheduled for Wednesday, January 25, 2017 at 10 am at the St. Christopher Catholic Church. Place of rest will be in the Dickson County Memorial Gardens. For those desiring, memorials may be made to the Kidney Foundation or the American Cancer Society.

[The Tennessean, Nashville, TN, 24 Jan 2017, Tue, Page A6]

[Greeley Daily Tribune, Greeley, CO, 24 Sep 1956, Mon, Page 9]

FORT CAMPBELL, KY. (AHT- NC) -- Army Sergeant Robert G. Watson 26, son of Mrs. Helen Galnel of Greeley, Colo., and Army Specialist Third Class Franklin D. Gonzales, son of Mrs. Delia D. Gonzales of Greeley, are scheduled to participate in Exercise Eagle Wing, a 101st Airborne division maneuver at Fort Campbell, Ky., April 16-30.
   Watson, who entered the army in is a motor sergeant in Company E of the division's S27th infantry. His wife, Dorothy, is with at Fort Campbell. The sergeant attended Greeley High school and worked for Crown Zellerback Taper Mill in Oregon, City, Ore., before he entered the army.
   Specialist Gonzales, 22, is a mail clerk in Mortar battery of the division's 501st infantry.  He entered the army in 1954 after his graduation from Greeley High school. His wife, Suzanne, lives in Dickson, Tenn.

[Greeley Daily Tribune, Greeley, CO, 15 Apr 1958, Tue, Page 16]