Nicolas "Nicky" David Gonzales

Nicolas “Nicky” David Gonzales joined Our Heavenly Father on Nov. 12, 2014, at the age of 46. He was born on Nov. 20, 1967, in Walla Walla to Juanita Gillum (Gonzales) and Nicolas L. Gonzales.

As a child he would accompany his migrant family as they worked in the fields. His older siblings would put him in a bin and drag him around the field for fun. As the youngest of five children, he always made sure everyone knew he was the baby and he very well lived up to the name – as if they could ever forget.

He loved to play superheroes with his cousins, Robbie and Alex, and you would always find them together. He played Little League Baseball for the Walla Walla Union-Bulletin, where he also delivered newspapers, and was chosen U-B Carrier of the Month. As a young boy he was very active in the Catholic Church, where he was an altar boy for many years.

In his teenage years he discovered his voice and sang his way through life. Throughout his journey he was frequently asked to sing at weddings and other social events. He would sing everything from gospel to Mexican ballads. His voice was unique, charismatic and flawless, something that made him unforgettable to many individuals. Nicky believed music was the key to life and enjoyed playing the guitar and singing with his cousin Fransisco Gonzalez Jr.

He attended Walla Walla public schools, Walla Walla Community College, and went on to receive his bachelor of arts degree in psychology from Washington State University, becoming the first of his siblings to earn a college degree. He was working toward attending law school, because there was never an argument he couldn’t win.

As a young adult he met and married his teenage sweetheart, Rena Larsen-Gonzales, in 1988. Although Nick and Rena were separated for many years they remained the best of friends. Together they created three beautiful children: Nicole Gonzales-Garcia, Alexis Gonzales and Nicolas Gonzales Jr. Later, down the road, Nicky was blessed with four grandchildren. Two grandsons: Benjamin Jr and Elijah, and two twin granddaughters: Genesis and Eternity.

He lived for his children and grandchildren. On a typical day you could find him at the park playing with his grandchildren and son. He had an unbreakable bond with his son, Nicolas.

Nicky loved all sports and was extremely athletic. His favorite sport was basketball, which he coached at Blue Ridge Elementary School, in the late ‘90s.

In 1993, he started working at the Walla Walla Blue Mountain Mall in the Emporium. He continued working there until he was hired at the Washington State Penitentiary as a correctional officer for seven years.

He decided to leave the penitentiary to pursue his educational goals and worked at the family business, A-1 Cab, during this time. Upon his father’s passing, in 2008, he inherited A-1 Cab where he worked until his time of death.

He loved to meet new people and treated everyone the same; he was always willing to give to others. He gave unto the least. He always found the good in everybody when others did not. He always thought out of the box and never conformed to the “normal” ways of society. When Nicky came into a room you could hear him before you could see him, his strong voice carried. He was so well loved because he was always himself. He never changed to impress but stayed the same. He couldn’t walk into a store without talking to someone he knew, everyone knew who “Nicky” was. He had a one-of-a-kind laugh that was contagious, and a sense of humor that was hilarious.

He found joy spending time at the family cabin on Weston Mountain with his loving step-father, Earl Gillum, who loved Nicky as his own. He found the mountain soothing and relaxing and his wish was to be laid to rest there. He loved riding snowmobiles, skiing, fishing, hiking, swimming, biking and playing football, basketball and baseball. He enjoyed drawing, painting, writing, dancing and singing. Yet, most of all he cherished the precious times with his best friend, mentor, spiritual leader, and guardian, his brother, Mike Gonzales.

He had a kind heart and loving soul and his passing will forever be remembered. His absence will leave a void in many hearts but a change in many lives. We are looking forward to eternity with him and all our loved ones in the Kingdom of God.

Nicolas is survived by his wife, Rena; daughter, Nicole; son in-law, Ben; daughter, Alexis; son-in-law to be, Juan; son, Nicolas Jr.; and four grandchildren. Also, he is survived by his mother, Juanita Gillum; step-father, Earl Gillum; his in-laws, Jerry Larsen and Mary Ellen Larsen; two sisters, Cynthia Diaz and Christina Soto; brother in-law, Moises Soto; two brothers, Mike Gonzales and Gilbert Gonzales; two sister in-laws, Kim Gonzales and Jeannie Gonzales; numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles. He was preceded in death by his fraternal and paternal grandparents, on both sides; and his father, Nicolas L. Gonzales.

Viewing Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2014, from 4 p.m.-7 p.m. and Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2014, from 9 a.m. until after the Rosary, which will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2014, at 6 p.m. at Herring Funeral Home with Deacon Olegario and Dora Reyes officiating. Service
will be at Blue Mountain Community Church, Sturm Street, on Thursday, Nov. 20, 2014, at 10 a.m. with Pastor Ron Alexander officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to Providence St. Mary’s Regional Cancer Center through Herring Funeral Home, 315
W. Alder, Walla Walla, WA 99362.