Rio Hondo - Luis Gonzales, Sr., 77, passed away on Monday, March 5, 2007 at The Harlingen Nursing and Rehab. Home in Harlingen, Texas. Mr. Gonzales fought a brief but courageous battle with cancer. Mr. Gonzales will be greatly missed by his family and many friends. He was known by his circle of friends as "Cowboy" due to his love and passion of dancing to polkas and enjoyed life to its fullest. He will be remembered wearing his gray Stetson cowboy hat tilted to the right and his polished boots. He was always ready to tell a joke to anyone who would listen and was always the life of the party. Mr. Gonzales will join his late wife, Bertha M. Gonzales, in God's kingdom. He is also preceded by his parents, Cristobal and Josefina Gonzales; one brother, Macario Gonzales, and sister, Braulia Atkinson. He is survived by his three brothers, Alfredo Gonzales of Lubbock, TX; Federico Gonzales of Hempstead, TX; and Cristobal Gonzales, Jr. of Bryan, Texas; five children, Emma Rodriguez of Houston, Texas; Mary Lou Turner of Mineral Wells, Texas; Blanca Gonzales of Fort Worth, Texas; Luis Gonzales, Jr. of Edinburg, TX; and Arnie Gonzales of Rio Hondo, Texas; and 7 grandchildren. Visitation will be held Wednesday, March 7, 2007 from 2:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. with a Eulogy at 6:00 P.M. and a Rosary at 7:00 P.M. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, March 8, 2007 at 2:00 P.M. at St. Helen Catholic Church in Rio Hondo. Interment will follow to Rio Hondo City Cemetery. Words of comfort may be sent to the family of Luis Gonzales, Sr. at www.thomaegarza.com Funeral Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Thomae-Garza Funeral Directors, 395 S. Sam Houston, San Benito, Texas (956) 399-1331