Matthew  J. Gonzales

Sergeant Matthew J. Gonzales, 31, was called home on January 10, 2015, after a year-long
battle with cancer. He was surrounded lovingly by family and friends.

Matthew was born on August 15th, 1983 in Kansas City, KS to Maria Martinez and Roderick Gonzales, and grew up in Spring Hill, KS. In 2002, he graduated from Spring Hill High School and joined the United States Army Reserves in 2003. A few years later, he was deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Upon his return home, he fulfilled a lifelong dream of attending the University of Kansas, where he obtained his undergraduate degree and was an active member of the Sigma Lambda Beta Fraternity. He then began his Master’s program at Baker University.

He married his love, Elizabeth (Guerrero) Gonzales in November, 2011. Less than two years later, they
welcomed their beautiful daughter, Viviana, into the world. He was very excited to welcome their second child in August, 2015. Matthew loved his family, and was so proud to be a father.

Matthew is survived by his wife, two children, parents, his four siblings (Alan, Marissa, Michael and Jacob), grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, nephew, niece and a Goddaughter. He has joined his great grandparents and his cousin, Jordan, in eternal life.

Matthew loved running, playing sports, and being around his family and friends. His smile was contagious, and his bright, green eyes were something to remember. He was a long-time avid fan of Kansas City sports, including the Chiefs and Royals. His love for KU basketball was known by all who surrounded him.

In January of 2014, Matthew was diagnosed with a rare cancer that was determined to be service-related from his tour in Iraq. During the many months of chemotherapy and radiation, he continued to remain hopeful, and fought hard.

Matthew was a loving father, husband, son, brother, grandchild, cousin, uncle, Godson, Godfather, and friend. Not only was he a U.S. Army Veteran, but he was a true hero to all who knew him. He will continue to serve our Father in heaven and watch over us until we meet him again.

Funeral arrangements have been made through Speak’s funeral home. His services will be on Saturday,
January 17th at St. Mark’s Catholic Church, located at 3736 S. Lee's Summit Rd., Independence, MO 64055. A visitation will be held at 9 a.m. and Mass will begin at 10a.m. He will then be laid to rest at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Kansas City, MO. Please feel free to join us in celebrating his life and the battle he fought by wearing any form of red or blue, as these colors had great significance throughout
this life, and especially during his fight with cancer. A memory book will be made to share with his children as they grow. Please consider bringing a picture and or memory to include in the book.

The family suggests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to either the Hope Lodge in Rochester, MN, or to Gonzales children's education fund. Matt was able to stay at the Hope Lodge during his treatments at the Mayo Clinic this past summer. He considered this a welcoming place and a blessing to have during his time away from home. In all of Matt’s wishes for his children, their education was of primary importance.