Frankie LeRoy Gonzales

Celebration of life for Cortez resident Frankie Leroy Gonzales will be held at 10:00am on Thursday, March 20th at Saint Margaret Mary’s Catholic Church in Cortez, CO. A memorial reception will be held following interment, at 12:00 p.m. at the Dolores Fire Station.  

Frankie was born July 14th, 1952 in Pueblo, CO, the son of Frank and Ruby Gonzales (Vigil). He passed away on Saturday, March 8, 2025 in Cortez, CO, at the age of 72 years old.

Frankie married Debbie on June 1, 1976. They have two children, Jeremy and Kendra, a daughter-in-law, son-in-law, and 5 grandchildren. Frankie was a wonderful husband, father and Papa. He loved his family dearly.

Frankie was a man of many hobbies including woodworking, painting, gunsmithing, gardening, raising miniature horses, cows, birds, fish and dogs. He loved the outdoors and spent many weekends at his cabin in the mountains with family and friends. Frankie never met a stranger; he would strike up a conversation with anyone and would have them laughing by the end. People were drawn to him because of his loving and fun personality and his expertise in almost anything. He loved his time in Arizona and all the friends he met in his neighborhood community. Frankie was also an entrepreneur and ran a successful highway construction company that he passed down to his two children when he retired. Frankie was dedicated to everything that he did, but most of all his faith in God. He loved attending Mass and was devoted to his prayer life in such a beautiful and special way that touched so many people.

Surviving Frankie are his spouse Debbie Gonzales of Cortez; his children, Jeremy Gonzales (Shannon) of Cortez, CO; Kendra Watkins (Cameron) of Windsor, CO; by his grandchildren, Kyle Watkins and Brayden Watkins of Windsor, CO; Keeley Clarke, Adelina Gonzales, and Dalton Gonzales of Cortez, CO; and his sister Lisa Tozer (Bruce) of McElmo Canyon, CO.

Frankie was preceded in death by his parents Frank and Ruby Gonzales, and brother Michael Gonzales.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Muscular Dystrophy Foundation.