Emmott Gonzales

© Roberts/Reed-Culver Funeral Home

July 2013

Submitted by: Martha Real

Emmott Gonzales was born on July 7, 1948 in Tahlequah, Oklahoma to John G. and Betsy M. (Cochran) Gonzales. (He passed away on July 16, 2013).

On October 11, 1967 Emmott and Hazel Kester formed a union and established their family which included Susie, Steve and Kyron.
In March of 1968 Emmott was drafted into the U.S. Army, where he bravely and proudly served in combat duty in Viet Nam. After returning to the states, he enlisted in the reserves and also the Army National Guard until 1981.
Emmott was a dedicated Christian and Minister for his Lord and Savior since 1982. He was always known for his passion in sharing his faith and Love for Jesus.
His smile was infectious and he loved to tease people and play practical jokes on them. He was a soft spoken man except when he preached the word or witnessed to others. Emmott’s love for his family and friends was second only to his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He was a very hard worker and he was devoted to his family and friends.

Emmott worked as a machinist at the Crosby McKissick Group in Tulsa, Oklahoma for nearly 19 years. After that time he worked as a carpenter throughout the south and eastern U.S. Later, after becoming disabled, Emmott devoted much of his time to visiting the sick, shut-ins and people in the nursing home. Before Emmott became ill, he was an avid outdoorsman with a passion for hunting and fishing. He often spoke of how God used this time alone in nature to speak to him, inspiring many of his sermons. Emmott was a great man of God, devoted husband, loving father, beloved brother and the ultimate friend.

Family members who continue to celebrate his life and memory are his wife, Hazel, of the home in Stilwell, OK, daughter: Susie Bunch and husband Greg of Bunch, OK, son: Steve and wife April of Broken Arrow, OK, son: Kyron and wife Blondell of Stilwell, grandchildren: Nate Bunch and wife Michelle, Riley and Heath Bunch, all of Bunch, Joshua, Zoe, Emily and Sophie Gonzales, all of Broken Arrow, great granddaughter: Adalyn Bunch of Bunch, sister: Betty Diver and husband Sam of Stilwell, special loved ones: Shelby, Junebug and Kelby Eubanks, Mike Coleman, Jeff “Chig” Ketcher and daughter Haven, all of Stilwell and one very special lifelong friend: Sam Johnson of Stilwell.
These loved ones are also joined by a host of other family and friends who gathered in honor of Emmott’s going home celebration.

Family members who welcomed him home include his parents: John “Toss” Gonzales and Betsy Gonzales, brothers: Robert, Chester, John and Max Gonzales, sisters: Eva Mae Gonzales and Margaret Adair, two infant granddaughters: Lacey and Abigail Gonzales and one very special nephew: Clay Stilwell.

Funeral services were held at 10 am on Tuesday, July 23, 2013 at Roberts/Reed-Culver Chapel with Bro. Steve Campbell and Trent Teehee officiating. Interment followed at Freewater Cemetery.