Enrique "Henry" Tomas Gonzales

Enrique Tomas Gonzales affectionately known as “Henry” was called to heaven quietly and suddenly on November 1, 2025. He leaves behind his loving wife, Patricia, just a few days before their 22nd wedding anniversary.

Henry was born on September 1, 1944, in San Benito Texas to Juan Zayas and Guadalupe Salazar Gonzalez. Henry retired after 20 years from the United States Air Force and settled in Edmond Oklahoma.

Henry was enormously proud of his service to the United States. He loved this country, and he loved to learn. After his military service Henry worked for the Civil Service at TAFB. He acquired his Bachelor of Arts in Management from Park University in Parkville MO. He then earned two Master of Arts Degrees - one in Human Resources and Development and the other in Procurement, and Acquisition Management both from Webster University in St Louis MO. In addition to English, Henry was fluent in both Spanish and German.

Henry always had a desire to teach children. Because of this desire he began his third career at Wheeler Middle School. There his gregarious personality helped make new friends. Whether it was being the crosswalk guard or in the classroom, Henry found happiness in being around the children and faculty at Wheeler Middle School. He wanted to instill in each child the desire to do their best. The other faculty at Wheeler found Henry to be a major asset to the school and valued his input and time.

Additional Henry was highly active with the Asian students from the University of Central Oklahoma. He taught them how to drive, helped them with their English, chauffeured them to various places, and often took them to eat at their favorite restaurant. The students were so appreciative of Henry, it was often a fight as to whom paid for the meal. Although Henry usually won. One special friend, DouDou, who was a forensic science major at UCO, refers lovingly to Henry and Patricia as Mama and Papa.

He was married to Bernhilde Gertrude Gonzales for 33 years and together they have a son, Jason Gonzales of Moore Oklahoma.

After the death of his first wife, Henry found love again when he met and married Patricia Nipper on November 7, 2003. Together they traveled to Germany and other places to visit family. One of their favorite trips was always in the fall to see all the colorful foliage. Henry loved the way that Patricia would decorate for all the holidays, especially Christmas.

Some of Henry’s favorites include airplanes, Western movies, and Sci-Fi. Henry liked to do his part by organizing everything. We cannot say Henry was a great organizer, but the garage is full of boxes with labels on all of them.

Henry was a devout Catholic and was part of the St. John’s Catholic Church in Edmond. Henry attended weekly mass and daily mass during the summer when he was not teaching. His favorite song was “Ave Maria.” On occasional holidays and Sunday mornings, Henry attended Edmond First Church of the Nazarene with his wife Patricia. Henry had a fond place in his heart for the members of Edmond First and especially Pastor Mark.

In addition to his parents, Henry was preceded in death by two brothers, Juan Gonzalez and Rene G Gonzalez.

Henry is survived by his wife, Patricia, of the home, his son Jason Gonzales and wife Betsi of Moore. Additionally, he is survived by Wes Nipper and his wife Angela of Ponca City, Patti Stookey and her husband Don of Edmond, Jodi Schein and her husband Jim of Edmond, and Brian Nipper and his wife Stephanie of Edmond. Henry was the next to youngest of eight children and he is also survived by his sisters, Christina Gonzalez, Anna Dela Fuente, Pyda Gonzalez, and Sister Mary John and one brother, Gustavo Gonzalez.

Fifteen grandchildren survive Henry: Justin Gonzales, Jacob Gonzales, Mya Gonzales, Aunya Henderson, Jay Henderson, Haley Harrington, Katie Cooper, Loren Stookey, Bennett Stookey, Olivia Stookey, Zachary Kraeger, Allie Schein, Anna Schein, Hunter Nipper, and Dakota Nipper. Ten (10) great grandchildren also survive Henry.

Funeral services for Henry will be held at 10:00 am on November 11, 2025, at the Edmond First Church of the Nazarene. Henry had a great love for this country and was proud of his military service, so it is only fitting that his funeral service be held on Veterans Day.