Gilbert “Gil” Gonzales 68 Lawton, OK

A Memorial Service will be held at the Walters Cemetery, Walters, OK on Friday, May 14, 2021 at 1:00 p.m., Rev. Roger Noland, Rev. Danny ElKouri, and Rev. Juan Rodriguez officiating under the direction of Hart-Wyatt Funeral Home.

Gilberto (Gil) Cuellar Gonzales was born on March 22, 1952 in Kokomo, Indiana. He went home to be with his Lord and Savior on April 29, 2020 at 2:16 pm in Lawton, Oklahoma at the age of 68 years, 1 month, 7 days.

Gil grew up in the Rio Grande Valley area of South Texas, and attended local schools in the Pharr, San Juan, Alamo School District where he was an avid tennis player and played the trumpet in the Band. With his mother's approval he joined the United States Army at the age of 17, and continued to serve his country for 21 years before retiring in October, 1990 at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma. During his military service years, he traveled to many different countries in combat, training, and instructing troops. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal/Army Commendation Medal w/Second Oak Leaf Cluster/Army Achievement Medal w/First Oak Leaf C l u s t e r / / A i r M e d a l - 6 Awards//Vietnam Service Medal w/Three Bronze Service Stars//Army Good Conduct Medal-6//Republic o f V i e t n a m C a m p a i g n Medal w/60 Device//Army Service Ribbon//Overseas Service Ribbon-2// Non-C o m m i s s i o n e d O f f i c e r Professional Development Ribbon-2//Overseas Service Bars--2//Parachutist Badge// Aircraft Crewman Badge// Expert Infantryman Badge// Master Parachutist Badge// Jungle Expert Badge//Drill Sergeant Badge//Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry w/Palm/ Expert (rifle M-16) //Expert Badge (Hand Grenade)// Expert Badge (pistol .45 cal)//Air Movement Course, Recondo Course, Unit Clerk, Auto Body JLC Leadership Course, LRRP Course, Infantryman Course, Basic Airborne Course, Power Generator Course, and Meritorious Service Medal. I am proud to say that he was a member of The Green Berets(Special Forces).

Never a man to stay idle, even after his retirement from the Military and Law Enforcement Services, he didn't quit serving. He quickly became an NRA & C.L.E.E.T. Certified Instructor of SDA (Concealed carry) classes and Law Enforcement's annual gun range requalification/ recertification requirements. He was, also, the Head of Security for the church he attended, Word Alive Church. He even taught his entire security team classes and weapons qualifications.

A f t e r a l l t h e w o r k time, he was a dedicated member of multiple clubs and organizations: Blue Knights of Oklahoma IV Motorcycle Club as the Chaplain, American Legion Post 0029(non-active), NRA, Republican National Convention, Walters Lions Club, and Oklahoma Sheriff's Association. His favorite hobbies were motorcycle riding, fishing, building projects, singing, guitar and banjo playing, balloon animals, and lately, hog hunting with his friend and neighbor, Allan Barrington. He married the Love of his life, LaOna Suson, on August 12, 1994 at The Open Door Church of God in Walters, OK. Their ceremony was officiated by his parents, Leonard and Della Shoup of Pharr, TX. He and his wife served in the Church as special singers, musicians, and youth pastors at one stage of their 22 years as members before moving to Lawton and serving at Word Alive Church.

He was preceded in death by his father, Gavino (David) Gonzales, his step-father, Leonard Shoup, his mother, Della Cuellar Hunt, one brother, Len Shoup, and one sister, Doloris Reminder. He is survived by his wife, LaOna, his son, Gordon Dutton, of Ft. Worth, TX, his daughter, Carrie Gaylord & husband, Brian Gaylord of Chico, TX, three grandsons, Matthew Dutton and fiancé, Joie Demafiles, and Aaron Dutton, of Ft. Worth, TX, and Aiden Gaylord, and one granddaughter, Hailey Gaylord of Chico, TX, one great-granddaughter, Zia Dutton, Ft. Worth, TX, his brother, David Gonzales and wife, Gloria, of Mission, TX, his sister, Brenda Keisling and husband, Mark, of Alpine, TN., several nieces and nephews, many friends and loved ones. He had an unsurpassed love for God, his Family, his Country, Friends, and Life. My family will always remember him as “Our Rambo”.