Jesus Ruben Gonzales

Jesus R. Gonzales Obituary

Delivered on 01/31/24

Written by Son: Thomas A. Gonzales

Good Evening Family & Friends,

Thank you for coming out tonight to celebrate and honor the life of my dad, Jesus Ruben Gonzales.

I’m sure he would be extremely happy and grateful you came out today.

Jesus Ruben Gonzales is survived by his loving spouse Lydia Gonzales and his children

Dolores, Jesus, Thomas, Frances, and Joseph.

I’m sure he would also like to mention Anna, Brian, Mayra, Livier, and his many grand children as they were close to his heart as well.

Jesus Ruben Gonzales was born on January 25, 1948 to Mary & Robert Gonzales.

He grew up in the city of Calexico, CA where he enjoyed a period of time that most youths do from riding bikes to swimming in canals. From the early years, Ruben was a very strong and independent youth chasing the dollar he would say. I have heard stories from him selling gum, giving shoe shines, delivering newspapers, upholstering furniture, and working on cars as a mechanic in his teen years.

Hard work and determination to succeed were core traits of our dad from the very beginning.

In 1958, in the city of East Los Angeles, he met the love of his life, Lydia Marin.

During the years they developed a great friendship and eventually fell in love in high school.

After high school, On March 7^th, 1967, Jesus Ruben Gonzales joined the United States Army.

He was deployed to Vietnam from October 20^th, 1967 – October 17^th, 1968.

He earned the rank of Sargent and was attached to the 175^th Assault Helicopter Company named the “outlaws”.

My dad came back to the states to end his Army tour after 3 years of service.

After the Army, Jesus Ruben Gonzales went on to hold many positions in an Industry that was in its infancy – The Tortilla Industry.

Ruben came back to work with Joe Mota at Falcon Machinery building tortilla manufacturing equipment.

He then obtained a position working for La Vincedora Foods as a mechanic for their tortilla machines.

After moving up to a management role and establishing new products for La Vincedora, Ruben was then asked to be the main executive for a new business being established in San Bernardino, CA called Anitas Mexican Foods. Ruben worked at Anita’s for many years as the primary executive establishing a tortilla chip division that is still in use today.

After Anita’ s, Ruben went back to work at Falcon Machinery where he became the owner and CEO of the company. Ruben made many connections, helped establish many companies and built many tortilla machines throughout the industry so if you ever see a machine with a black falcon machinery logo or a cooling conveyor with his famous green gears, that was our dad.

Ruben went on to have one last post working for Ruiz Mexican Foods as the executive for their manufacturing division prior to retiring.

Retirement was short lived as Jesus Ruben Gonzales decided that retirement was not for him.

Ruben went on to established his company Falcon One and became a Tortilla Industry Consultant.

He worked his remaining years as a Tortilla Industry Consultant doing what he loved most.

• Establishing new businesses & companies
• Selling parts & machines to his customers
• But most of all, he loved establishing the friendships and having the interactions with his clients.

Jesus Ruben Gonzales passed on December 31, 2023 in peace with his loving family.

Before I go, I would like to say a special thank you to everyone that helped our dad in the last months

From Vitamins, medication, teas, and food; My dad felt the love and it was greatly appreciated.  

To my family – We all came together from taking care of Dad to the funeral preparations; he would be proud of us.

Dad – We Love you ALWAYS & we will see you again soon in Heaven.