Candido Gonzales, Jr., 79, of Van Vleck, was born July 4, 1939 in Austin, TX to the late Candido Gonzalez, Sr. and Refugia Gonzalez. He passed away February 21, 2019 and is now with his heavenly Father.

Candido was the pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Church for 53 years, ministering to several generations. God also used him in the capacity of conventional and associational work. He had a passion for preaching and teaching the word of God. The Lord also gave him the privilege of preaching His word in other countries.

He was given the gift of counseling people. Candido helped countless people with this gift. Reaching beyond his church and the community of Bay City.

For 10 years he was a teacher for the Bay City Independent School District. He also had a passion for education, so that they could be more of an asset in God's Kingdom work.

Pastor Gonzales graduated from Stephen F. Austin High School. In 1963 he received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Baylor University. In 1983 he received a Master of Arts in Religious Education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Ft. Worth, TX.

Survivors include his loving wife of 54 years Gloria Gonzales; daughter Kim Van Buren of Pearland, TX; grandson Evan Van Buren of Pearland, TX; siblings Robert Gonzalez and wife Linda of Houston, TX, Mary Baker and husband Don of Austin, TX; step-brother Marshall (deceased) and wife Eunice of Austin, TX; nephew Monte Baker and wife April (missionaries in Budapest, Hungary), other nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be 5:00-7:00pm Friday March 1 at Taylor Bros. Funeral Home. Services are 2:00pm Saturday March 2, 2019 at First Baptist Church Bay City with Dr. Mike Zimmerman officiating. Interment will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park in Van Vleck. Pallbearers are Barry Barnet, Evan Van Buren, Mark Flores, John Flores, Albert Guerrero and George Colesio.

Please make memorials in his name to your favorite charity.