Tributes

Jorge H. Gonzalez passed away peacefully in his sleep at home on June 19, 2025. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, and loyal friend. Jorge left a profound impact on his community through decades of volunteer service, leadership, and generosity—whether investing in local restaurants, advising in various financial roles, or serving on the Trinity Water Board. He was renowned for his integrity, kindness, and infectious sense of humor. Born in Laredo, Texas, on September 24, 1942, to Edmundo and Anita González. Alongside his brothers, Edmundo and Roberto, Jorge served as an altar boy, played sports, hosted dance parties, and loved hunting. The brothers attended Ursuline Academy in Laredo and later St. Joseph’s Military Academy in Hays, Kansas. Education was a deeply rooted value in the Gonzalez and Barreda families. Jorge graduated from Kansas State University in 1966 with a master’s degree in industrial engineering. He met Marian Barnes in Kansas, and together they raised three children—Ana, Maria Cristina, and Cesar—first in Houston and later in San Antonio. Jorge began his career at IBM, contributing to both the Gemini and Apollo programs and playing a role in landing the first man on the moon in 1969. With his skills in computer coding from IBM and Computer Knowledge, he later transitioned into the medical field, founding Billing Partners, which supported anesthesia, emergency transport, and pathology groups for over a decade. In 1992, Jorge celebrated as all three of his children graduated: Ana earned her M.D. from UT Southwestern Medical School, Cristina received her law degree from St. Mary’s University, and Cesar graduated from Notre Dame as an aerospace engineer. Jorge felt that investing in his children’s education was the best investment that he could make and one of his proudest accomplishments. After retiring at age 50, Jorge immersed himself in civic life. His dear friend Nick Garza introduced him to Fiesta, which quickly became a lifelong passion. Jorge served as an elected Commissioner for four years, joined the Board of Directors, and ultimately became President of the Fiesta Commission in 2007. His leadership helped expand academic scholarship programs and city-wide fundraising efforts. Jorge was also part of the first class of Consejos, a group supporting the Rey Feo Scholarship Program, and proudly served on two Rey Feo Courts. He was the Night Aide for Tom Sineni in 2004 and Prime Minister for Fernando Reyes in 2008. He believed deeply in the mission of the Rey Feo program and its role in funding education. In May 1993, Jorge met Debbie Archer, the Catering Manager at the St. Anthony Hotel, while planning Ana and Mike Gardner’s wedding. Jorge and Debbie dated while her children—Amber, John, Desiree, and Zach— completed high school and went off to college. Jorge embraced each of them as his own, attending every activity, encouraging their ambitions, and reinforcing the importance of education. Jorge and Debbie were married on August 31, 2002. They shared a love for travel and big game hunting, embarking on unforgettable adventures across Spain, Africa, British Columbia, Argentina, and Europe—always accompanied by family and close friends, even joining his brother Mundo and wife Peggy on their honeymoon hunting trip in New Zealand. Jorge was a modern-day Renaissance Man. In addition to travel and hunting, he enjoyed dancing and singing, Broadway Musicals, Sports, Art, Antiques, Collecting Ceramic Figurines, riding his lawn mower, and water aerobics, always making new friends along the way. Jorge leaves behind a legacy of love, leadership, and service that will continue to inspire everyone who knew him. He will be deeply missed and fondly remembered. He is survived by: His loving wife of 22 years, Debbie Gonzalez; Ana (Mike) Gardner and their children Jason and Erica; Cristina Gonzalez; Cesar Gonzalez and his children Isaac, Bella, and Ana. Edmundo (Peggy) Gonzalez and their children Ed III (Amy) and Rebecca; Roberto (Pita) Gonzalez and their children Omar (Ana) and Daniela (Jonathan) Clark. Amber Ferro (Bryon), and their children Jackson and Delaney; John Archer (Lori) and their children Max and Finley; Desiree Dixon (Jeb), and their children Julia, Brooke and Reece; and Zachary Archer and his son, Witten. Please wear best FIESTA attire! **If you would like to send a floral arrangement, the family requests that you contact "The Last Straw" Florist Shop. https://thelaststrawflorist.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoqcTV2syjcjK4rbO3LgrdAIwEhsoNDJMotcXIcIG_VV0ExWpMFC

Tributes

Jorge H. Gonzalez

September 24, 1942 - June 19, 2025