Alfredo Gonzales

Alfredo Gonzales, 77, passed away peacefully on December 4, 2025, in Austin, Texas. He was born on August 5, 1948, in Amarillo and grew up in Austin, the city he loved and served throughout his life.

Alfred was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Mary Ellen, who was the center of his world. His daughters, Veronica Delgado Gonzales and Ilda Chapa, his grandsons Ezekiel Delgado, Aaron Delgado, and Jacob Chapa, and his great-granddaughter, Teyana Delgado, all carry his love forward. He is also survived by his siblings Henrieta Flores, Victor Gonzales, Stella Gonzales, and Richard Gonzales. He is preceded in death by his parents, Victorino and Juanita Gonzales, and his siblings Josie Hernandez, Natividad Rivera, and Angel Gonzales.

Alfred built a long and respected career. He spent 25 years in outdoor advertising with Rollins and Patrick Media, followed by 18 years with the City of Austin Parks & Recreation Department as a Crew Leader. No matter the job, Alfred was known for exceptional workmanship and meticulous attention to detail. Anyone who worked beside him will tell you the same thing: he took pride in doing things the right way.

Outside of work, Alfred loved to fish. As a young man, he spent many evenings at Town Lake, long before it became Lady Bird Lake, ready with a line in the water and a joke on hand. He had a wonderful sense of humor, always quick with a comeback, and he carried that lightness with him throughout his life.

At his core, Alfred was kind, sincere, loving, and steady. He was the person people counted on. His faith guided his every step, and he lived with a quiet consistency that made others feel grounded just by being near him. His love for Mary Ellen was a defining part of who he was. He cared for her with intention and tenderness, cooking for her, driving her, supporting her in every way she needed. Even during his health challenges, he planned ahead and put things in order so she would be cared for after he was gone. That was Alfred: always thinking of others, always making sure the people he loved were supported.

To know him was to love him.

Alfred’s faith was the center of his life. He began his walk with God at Oak Hill Assembly of God, where he helped build the physical church. He served 23 years at Templo Sinai as a Deacon and Royal Ranger Commander, guiding boys and young men with purpose and compassion.

For the past 22 years, Alfred was a devoted member of Shoreline Church. He served faithfully in the Parking Ministry at the North campus, and when the South campus opened in its temporary location, he was there every Sunday to set up, tear down, usher, or fill in wherever he was needed. When the permanent South location opened, Alfred played an instrumental role in bringing it to life. He was often found tending to the grounds, cleaning, fixing things, and quietly taking care of whatever needed attention, usually before anyone even asked.

His desire was simple but powerful: he wanted people to walk with God. Over the years, Alfred mentored hundreds of men. Many saw him as a father figure, someone who offered steady guidance, encouragement, and prayer. He loved attending the Men’s Breakfast gatherings and was often the first person to arrive at church and the last to leave. His church family remembers him as a servant leader who poured his heart into serving Pastors Sam and Kelly Mata and the entire congregation. The hymn “At The Cross,” especially in Spanish, was deeply meaningful to him and reflected the sincerity of his faith.

Alfred leaves behind a legacy of love, service, and unwavering devotion to his family, to his church, and to God.

A celebration of Alfred’s life will be held on December 20, 2025, from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m. at Shoreline Church, 2008 Brandt Road, Austin, Texas. The family welcomes all who knew and loved him to join in honoring his life.