John Gonzales

John Paul Gonzales, 34, of Waco, gently slipped into the arms of Jesus on Friday, January 14, 2011, while sleeping.

Mass will be 11 a.m. Tuesday at St. Louis Catholic Church by Father John Guzaldo. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery. Rosary will be led by Deacon Jesse Garza 6 p.m. Monday at OakCrest Funeral Home.

John Paul was born in Waco to Johnny and Gloria Gonzales. He attended St. Mary's Catholic School and Waco High School.

John Paul was a beautiful person filled with fun, laughter, love, and kindness towards everyone. He was a devoted son, grandson, brother, uncle, father and friend. Just the mention of his family would fill him with pride and would light up his face. He never met a stranger and to meet him you would soon hear one of his many stories and be his lifelong friend. His father was his best friend.

He loved all children, good music, playing cards, and race cars of all kinds. His mother, his father, his sisters, his nephews and his daughter Sunny were surely the loves of his life.

He was preceded in death by his grandfathers, John Gonzales and Paul Carrizales; uncle, Henry Carrizales; and brother-in-law, Jay Alvarez.

John Paul leaves his parents, Johnny and Gloria; daughters, Alexandria Vargas and Sunny Gonzales; sisters, Melissa Marie Ybarra and her husband, Chris of West Palm Beach, Fla., Jessica Gonzales Alvarez of Waco and Tony Flores; nephews, Alexander, Andrew, and Jake Alavarez, and Sammy Ybarra; his grandmothers, Eloise Gonzales and Emma Carrizales; and his girlfriend, Darci Welsh.

Pallbearers will be Johnny Gonzales, Nick Gonzales, Toby Dominguez, Zaragosa Espinosa, Bryan Croft, and Buddy Vass,Chris Ybarra and Michael Gonzales

Honorary pallbearers will be his Texas hold 'em buddies.