Margarito Gonzalez

Margarito Gonzalez, Sr. of Granger passed away peacefully Thursday, February 20, 2014 at home surrounded by his family. Dad was born on May 10, 1943 in Cadreyata, Mexico to Jesus G. Gonzalez and Julia (Gonzalez) Gonzalez. After many childhood years of migrant work, dad met and married Elida Castillo on March 5, 1962 in Edinburg, Texas. Dad and mom settled down in the Yakima Valley to raise their family. They lived in Granger for more than 40 years. Dad was a small-business owner in agriculture, where he owned and drove his own truck for many years. He was a very hard-working and strong man his entire life and always provided for his family. Dad was determined to make his children’s lives better than his own and encouraged them to get their education. Dad enjoyed gardening, gambling, long walks and watching sports, especially his favorite team, the Dallas Cowboys. His garden was his pride and joy. From seeds to plants, dad created an amazing space of garden beauty. It produced many flowers, fruits and vegetables and, with the help of mom, many, many jars of legendary hot sauce. Dad had a gift for making something out of nothing, the confidence and mindset of a winner and he created his own luck. He was tough and hard on the outside, but inside was a smart and generous man who offered what he could when someone was in need. The life lessons he provided to his children and grandchildren will be cherished forever. We will greatly miss his bright blue eyes, infamous one-liners and quick-witted responses. Dad is survived by his devoted wife of fifty two years, Elida Gonzalez of Granger; two sons, Margarito Gonzalez Jr. of Bellevue and Robert Gonzalez of Sunnyside; a daughter Rachel Dillman (Alan) of Woodinville; three granddaughters Danae Eslick (Vance) of Clovis, CA, Victoria Gonzalez of Kent and Jessica Gonzalez of Grandview; three grandsons Marcus Gonzalez of Bellevue, Robert Jadan Gonzalez of Grandview and Justice Dillman of Woodinville; one great-grandson, Dempsey Eslick of Clovis, CA. Dad is also survived by four brothers, Laurencio Gonzalez, Jesse Gonzalez, Roy Gonzalez and Rene Gonzalez; three sisters Enedelia Perez, Araceli Ovalle and Rachel Gonzalez; and a host of extended family and friends. Dad was preceded in death and welcomed into Heaven by their infant son, Margarito Gonzalez and his father, Jesus Gonzalez. Visitation will be from 10am-6pm Wednesday February 26, with recitation of the Rosary at 6pm at Valley Hills Funeral Home in Zillah. Mass of Christian burial will be held at the Zillah Resurrection Church Thursday, February 27, at 11AM with burial following at the Zillah Cemetery. Valley Hills Funeral Home in Zillah is in care of the arrangements. Online tributes can be left at www.valleyhillsfh.com. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Margarito Gonzalez, please visit our flower store.