Monte Vista, Colo., resident Leroy “Archie” Gonzales, 66, passed away on March 18, 2024, at Memorial Hospital in Colorado Springs surrounded by his loving family.

Leroy was born on March 26, 1957, in Del Norte, Colo., to Fred and Lillian Gonzales. He honorably served his country in the United States Army soon after he graduated from Monte Vista High School in 1976. Leroy was stationed in Ft. Jackson, S.C. where he served in Panama from 1976 to 1979 as a Watercraft Engineer and Tank Turret Repairer with an earned medal in Sharpshooting.

In his earlier years, he worked for his father Fred Gonzales who ran his own painting and roofing business for many years along with construction work.

Leroy moved to Colorado Springs in 1985 where he met Pamela Headle and had their son Jeffrey.

Leroy enjoyed fishing from a young age, and you could often find him at Rock Creek catching brookies by the dozen, he also enjoyed hunting, shooting pool, and spending time with his family and friends.

He is survived by his son Jeffrey Gonzales of Monte Vista, Colo., his mother Lillian Gonzales of Monte Vista, his sisters Connie Gonzales of Monte Vista, Joan (Ples) Stone of Ft. Morgan, Colo., Cecelia [Mark] Crown of Omaha, Neb., and Doreen Bermudez of Denver, Colo., as well as numerous nieces, nephews and extended family.

Leroy was preceded in death by his father Fred Gonzales, Nephew Xavier Sanchez, Cousin Vivian Gonzales, and Jeffrey’s mother, Pamela (Headle) Robinson.

A Recitation of the rosary will be held at 6 p.m. Friday, April 26, 2024, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Monte Vista. A Memorial Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 27, 2024, also at St. Joseph's in Monte Vista. 

Cremation was selected and Rogers Family Mortuary is in care of the arrangements. To leave online words of comfort, tributes and remembrances for Leroy’s family, please visit www.RogersFunerals.com.