Johnny González

Johnny Bautista González aka “Bananas” peacefully and lovingly took his journey to meet our Lord God on Saturday, August 10, 2024, following a courageous battle with kidney failure.  Johnny was a strong trooper since the beginning of the diagnosis facing many challenges, but, in the end at the age of 77, he no longer had the strength to continue the fight. Johnny was born February 13, 1947 to Alfirio Gonzales and Lucy Vallejos Gonzales, both deceased. Johnny graduated from Questa High School in 1966, he joined the army going to Vietnam from 1969 to 1971. Johnny married Nancy Gomez in 1974, they had two sons and one daughter; Jason Douglas González married to Maria Montoya and they have four daughters; Anastacia (Riley), Araceli (Matthew), Amalia and Alianna. Son Juan Bautista Gonzales (Beverly Rael) has two sons; Juanito and Marcus (Martina), stepdaughter; Jennifer Vigil-Ortega (deceased), two granddaughters; Aaliyah and Jordyn Martinez, their mother and grandmother is Julie Gonzales. Beverly has two daughters and one son; Angelia, Sabrina and Carlos Sifuentes. Johnny joins his beautiful daughter Ramona González who lost the battle to pneumonia and the Covid-19 virus in 2021. Ramona had five children; Esperanza (Joshua), two grandsons; Nemiyah and Eziyah and son Enrique. Daniel Gallardo is Esperanza’s and Enrique’s father, daughter Marivel and her father Vicente Martinez, two sons Elijah and Atreyu, stepdaughter Eve and their father Brian Pino. Johnny leaves three sisters and their families; Kathy Ramos, Margaret Gonzales (Becky Reardon), Anna Reichbach (Ray) and one brother, Anthony Gonzales (Mark Johnson -deceased). Johnny leaves many friends, family members, special cousins, nieces, nephews and a few special aunts including Tía Rogeria Mecham Romero who helped the family for many months and special uncles, their families and many comadres and compadres Johnny also leaves his in-law brothers and sisters and their families; Steve Gomez-deceased (Linda), Felix Gomez (Linda), Frank Gomez, Della Apodaca, Nina Apodaca (Ken) and Charlene Ramos (Jose). Johnny’s father in law; Arturo Rogerio Gomez and his mother in law; Maria Berlinda Gomez preceded Johnny in death. As a Support Parent, Johnny also leaves two young children. Johnny enjoyed all his family and loved spending time with each one of them, especially holiday and special occasion gatherings and meals. Johnny also leaves Preciosa Bonita, his Shih Tzu.

Johnny was a hardworking man all his life. He enjoyed caring for the family farm; planting crops, tending to them – irrigating and cutting, etc. He especially enjoyed working alongside Grama Lucy in her huge vegetable gardens. Johnny worked at many places, including Molycorp and the Red River Ski Area. In 1994, he purchased the Shell Gas Station and expanded to a very successful automotive shop. Johnny expanded and built the Chevron Gas Station, which included Bananas which, sold the delicious and popular chicharron burrito. Johnny was a member of the Questa Credit Union Council.

Johnny enjoyed fishing at the Rio Grande and just loved the outdoors. Before he got busy with his businesses, he also hunted. Johnny had the opportunity to travel to many different places in the United States and abroad with his wife Nancy. Together, they both enjoyed the many different foods available and breathtaking sites.

The González Family appreciates the many prayers, kind words and thoughts expressed, delicious meals including desserts, visits, floral arrangements and overall an expression of love, respect and support for Johnny. Anvoi Hospice Service cared for Johnny for five days. Rivera Family Funerals & Cremations of Taos is entrusted with the care of Johnny. Johnny’s rosary will be held on Monday, August 19, 2024 at 6:00 pm at Rivera Chapel, led by the Hermanos from Peñasco. The religious service will be held on Tuesday, August 20, 2024 at 10:00 am at Rivera Chapel led by Deacon Marcus Rael with eulogies by sons; Jason and Juan. Burial followed at San Pedro Cemetery at 12:30 pm in Questa, alongside Johnny’s grandfather, Juan Bautista González. Ramona was also laid to rest right next to her father. Maria Berlinda Gomez, Johnny’s mother-in-law was also laid to rest close by. The Celebration of Life Reception will be served at 1:30 pm by the Cerro-Questa Friendship Circle and very much appreciated. God is good and all that the family ask is that we Love and Respect each other!

Arrangements by Rivera Family Funeral Home. To share a memory, please visit our website at www.riverafuneralhome.com.