Eloy Gonzales, age 86, died on Thursday, July 30, 2020 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Memorial services will be held at 11:00 AM Mountain Time on Saturday, August 22, 2020 at the Clayton Gospel Church in Clayton, New Mexico with Pastor Mike Phipps officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Hass Funeral Directors of Clayton, New Mexico.
Eloy Gonzales was born on May 15, 1934 in Grenville, New Mexico to Joe O. Gonzales and Mary (Nolan) Gonzales. Eloy started playing guitar at age 6 and got his first paid performance at age 9 as a duo with his brother Elmer. He attended school in Des Moines where he was an all-state basketball player. He graduated in 1952. He played with the Rabbit Ear Troubadours until 1957 when he joined the Army. As an Army Corporal he was in a band called Jim Arnett and the Drifters with a group of Air Force Sergeants. When he returned to Clayton he worked as a clerk as R. W. Isaacs Hardware and he started Eloy And The Troubadours. He purchased the music store in Clayton from Cornwall in 1971. Eloy married Jeri (Hubbard) Gonzales on August 17, 1981 in Fort Worth, Texas. Eloy was inducted into the Western Swing Society Hall of Fame on October 1, 2000. Eloy worked for Texas Refining Corporation for many years. In addition to his parents, Eloy was preceded in death by 12 brothers and sisters.
SURVIVORS:
WIFE: Jeri Gonzales of Clayton, New Mexico.
DAUGHTER: Lisa Knudson and her husband Jeff of Gilbert, Arizona.
SON: Ed Gonzales of Vero Beach, Florida.
STEP-DAUGHTER: Marilyn McCrory and her husband Keith of Burleson, Texas.
3 GRANDCHILDREN: Melody Knudson, Hannah Knudson and Mary Knudson.
3 STEP-GRANDCHILDREN: Eric McCrory, Matt McCrory and Nick McCrory.
4 STEP-GREAT-GRANDCHILDREN: Hannah, Eric, Ethan and Anne-Marie.
Eloy was a wonderful sweet man, he always had jokes! He will be missed