Getting to Know Glen Gonzalez – St. Thomas Pastoral Council Member

I am Glenn N. Gonzalez, a member of this parish since 2005, member of the Knights of Columbus since 1996,
current Pastoral Council member, and lector and usher.  I am honored to serve this outstanding church, along
 with so many dedicated people.

I am the third of 10 children and the last one to be born in the Philippines.  I actually come from a combined family that easily melded into one.  After giving birth to four children (me being the third), my biological mother passed away in 1951, just 2 months after being diagnosed with cancer of the stomach.  She was a school teacher, and my father was a career Army member serving in Korea at the time.  He had previously served in the Asian theater prior to Korea. Understandably heartbroken and with four children to raise, he was fortunate to marry my mother's sister. My new mother had just started her career as a lawyer but gave it up to raise our family. My siblings and I feel deeply indebted to her for sacrificing a career to raise us.  She worked a variety of jobs but finished her career as a secretary at the now closed Hotel Dieu hospital in El Paso.  We were blessed when my parents added six more siblings.  Our family was close growing up and remain close today.

My parents were strict in almost all ways - including education and religion. Until high school, there was not much time for play, but I think that toughened my siblings and me for life.  I grew up in El Paso, where my father finished his military career. I enjoyed school, liked my teachers, and had many friends.  I enjoyed all classes except math. I graduated from Irvin High school in 1966, then graduated from the University of Texas at El Paso in 1970, then Southern Methodist University School of Law in 1974.  I was immediately commissioned in the U.S. Navy in the Judge Advocate General's Corps (basically a military lawyer), where I served for 30 years, retiring in February 2005.  While
in the Navy I received a Master of Law degree in environmental law from the George Washington University.

If nothing else, the Navy gives interesting work.  It seemed as if we moved every 2-3 years and I had a new job.  I performed a variety of jobs, including, prosecutor, defense counsel, legal assistance, legal researcher and writer, and legal advisor to several 3 and 4-star admirals. My favorite duty was as a military judge.  My first duty station was at Corpus Christi, followed by tours in the San Francisco Bay area, San Diego, Washington, DC, Hawaii, Guam, Japan, and finally New Orleans (my favorite party town).  I had the opportunity to travel to many countries during my career, but unfortunately, never traveled to Europe.

I have been married to Marjorie Ann for 49 years.  We met while I was still in law school and she was the secretary for a district manager for a discount department chain in Dallas.  She had been previously married with two young children.  We quickly blended into a good, close family. Our children now have their own children and grandchildren.  Therefore, Marge and I are grandparents to five kids and great grandparents to two kids. Life is good.

Because we traveled extensively on active duty, we do not care much for travel today.  I especially do not like long flights over water. Longest trips we have taken in retirement have been to Hawaii several times, Quebec, and Orlando for Disney World and Disney cruises.  We are fans of Disney.

I enjoy gardening, but it's a challenge with the rocky soil in Canyon Lake.  So I basically put in plants wherever I can dig a hole - no real order.  My biggest hobby and exercise until the pandemic has been dancing.  Unfortunately, my knees are wearing out, and I have plans for surgery in the near future.  I really have no bucket list, except to live a long and healthy life. I did not practice law after retiring from the Navy but spent a few several years doing substitute school teaching at the grade school level and doing volunteer mediation.  I currently seem to spend much of my time doing church and Knights of Columbus work and was previously on the board of Hope Hospice.  It's rewarding to help others.

I love the Hill Country and our parish.  We picked this area because we wanted to return to Texas, but not live in the big cities.  We also like the "country" and friendly feel of St. Thomas. Most people seem to know each other and talk with each other both before and after mass – though it's often a challenge during the pandemic.  For people considering our church and for knights considering transferring to our council, I just tell them to attend mass and meet the people.  More times than not, they return.  Thanks again to all for your friendship and support of our church.

Thank you, Glen for all you do for our church!