Joe James (Jimmy) - COURTESY ANNOUNCEMENT Gonzales

Joe James Gonzales (Jimmy) will always be remembered as the ‘railroad man.’ But, simply put, Jimmy was so much more than merely a ‘railroad’ man to his wife, his children, to his numerous siblings especially Tony (Judith Kaminen) Gonzales and Peggy (Steve) Montaño, but also to those many people who knew him, who worked with and for him, and those many people who considered him a friend, a brother, a father (even those who were not really his brothers or sons and daughters). To them, he was a generous, helping, thoughtful, wise, compassionate, knowledgeable, funny, exemplary man. He was a leader of men, a father figure to many, a brother figure to many, a best friend to many. Having worked on railroads in Salida, Durango, Silverton, Chama, at Marshall Pass, in many eastern states including Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and in Canada, Mexico, Israel and Brazil, Jimmy was indeed the ‘railroad man’ and literally an ’encyclopedia’ of railroads. \r\nJim also had other special interests including hunting, golfing, horses, country music, western movies, family and extended family, and Chinese food.\r\n He was born on January 25, 1939 in El Rito, New Mexico to his parents Nick Gonzales and Theresa Lucero Gonzales (deceased). Jim and his wife Margaret, were married for fifty-four years. Their children include their deceased son Joe J. Gonzales Jr.; and daughters Jolene (Ed) Lambert, Salida; Tina (Rita Volk) Gonzales, Arvada; Carla (Michael) Thurby, Arvada; and sons Rodney (Michelle) Gonzales, Port Moody, British Colombia; and Steve (Richelle) Gonzales, Denver. \r\nHis grandchildren include Kristen (Aaron) Loudenburg; Jessica Lambert (Cassidy Adamson); Marc (Nicole) Lambert; Megan (Matt) Juba; Alexander, Emily, and Nicholas Thurby; Truman and Isabelle Gonzales; Alyvia and Joseph Gonzales; and great-grandchildren Aiden Loudenburg , Maya Lambert, Opal, Violet, and Truman Juba. Jim is also survived by numerous special nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; son Joe J. Gonzales Jr.; great-grandson, Christopher Loudenburg; and sister, Mary Ann Ciancio.\r\nJim died on August 27, 2012, surrounded by his loving family. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Our lives and our world will not be as warm and happy without Jimmy. With Jim’s passing there will be one less angel on earth. \r\nFuneral services will be held at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church in Arvada, Colorado on Saturday, Sept. 1, 2012 at 10a.m. Private burial with family and close friends will be Sunday in Salida. Arrangements are through Lewis and Glenn Funeral Home, Salida, Colorado. Pallbearers: Joseph (Corky) Maestas, David Aragon, Kasey O’Connor, John Matthews, Steve Moñtano, William Callison, and Miguel Almanza; Honorary Pallbearers: Edward Lambert, Rita Volk, Michael Thurby, Michelle Gonzales, Richelle Gonzales, William Holtman Sr., William Holtman Jr., Larry Parsons, and Jim Mayer.\r\n \r\nIn lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made through Lewis and Glenn Funeral Home to the Leukemia Research Foundation. Or the Lutheran Center Medical Foundation at 8300 W. 38th Ave., Wheatridge, CO 80033, www.exempla.org/foundation. Donations to Cancer Unit, in memory of Joe J. Gonzales.

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