Teodulo "Ted" Gonzalez

Teodulo "Ted" Gonzalez Sr. February 18, 1933 - December 19, 2015 Teodulo “Ted” Gonzalez Sr. passed away as the sun was rising on Saturday Dec. 19, 2015. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, Dec. 23, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with the Rev. Benjamin Magnaye as Celebrant. Burial will follow at Waco Memorial Park. Visitation will be 6:00 p.m., and Rosary Service at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 22, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Chapel. Ted was born in Higueras N.L. Mexico, on Feb. 18, 1933, to Juan and Maria Gonzalez. He attended The Escuela de Contador in Monterrey N.L. Mexico, where he received a bachelor’s degree as a stenographer. He later joined the Mexican Military Service and did his training in several small home towns, where he then met the love of his life, Maria del Carmen Elizondo, en la Haciendo de Mamulique N.L. Mexico. On November 21, 1954, they joined their lives in one solid marriage amongst close family and friends. They went on to have their first three children in Mamulique N.L., Maria’s home town. Soon after Ted joined the United States Army, he became a staff sergeant. He continued to provide for his family after being honorably discharged from the military. He worked two jobs, at Decker Company as a butcher and El Chico as a waiter, in Dallas. Within that time, the family had grown to seven children. In 1966, Ted got promoted to assistant manager for the local Waco El Chico. As Waco grew on Ted and Maria, they decided to make it their home where they would continue raising their children. As Ted’s desire grew stronger to start his own business, he and Mary opened “Ted’s Midway Café” in 1969 in Woodway, Texas. Those were just the beginning of days for local patrons to grow as family. The family continued to grow and Ted and Mary were blessed with their last three children. In Dec. 1976, the first El Conquistador Restaurant was established on West Waco Drive. In Nov. of 1985, the second El Conquistador was opened in Bellmead, Texas. Two years later, another location opened in Austin, for a short time. Ted wanted to continue to grow and in Feb. of 1988, the third El Conquistador was successfully opened in Hillsboro, Texas. Throughout those years, Ted had also joined the Lions Club, the Rotary Club, the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the Knights of Columbus, Council 1358, where he reached the 3rd and 4th degrees. Even with his busy schedule of raising a large family of 10, he still found time to enjoy his favorite hobby, which was golf. As an avid golfer, Ted joined the Pan American Golf Association and played on many famous golf courses. His drive to provide for his community continued as he started his own “Ted Gonzalez Scholarship Golf Tournament” for local Waco students of McLennan Community College. It reached 16 years of success with many memories to cherish with all his golf buddies, family and customers. Ted also loved traveling with Mary. They frequented Las Vegas twice a year up until they both weren’t able to travel. Ted brought his finest Mexican dishes to the downtown area in 1990, with El Conquistador #4 opening its doors. He wanted to provide for those daily local Wacoans with lunch caterings, private parties, and business meetings, and even started making his own corn tortillas at this location. Ted’s dream was to one day have a restaurant for each of his children. With that, he continued to push forward towards it and opened yet another location in Temple, Texas, El Conquistador #5 in Dec. of 1997. “El Conquistador”, Spanish “conquerors,” was as fitting as it totally represented Ted’s character. His strong work ethic he instilled into his children will live forever and generations to come. Ted fought up until the end, completing physical therapy just the day before his passing. We all know Ted was a passion driven man. Rest in Peace Daddy, until we meet again in Heaven. He was preceded in death by his parents; grandson, Adam Martinez, Jr.; sisters, Maria de Soccoro Gonzalez Ramirez and Rosaura Gonzalez Gonzalez; and brother, Jose (PePe) Gonzalez. He is survived by his wife, Maria del Carmen Gonzalez Elizondo; children, Jose C. Gonzalez and wife, Denise, of Waco, Juan L. Gonzalez and wife, Tammy, of Hillsboro, Teodulo (Teddy) Gonzalez, Jr. and wife, Michelle, of Crawford, Texas, Rosaura (Rosie) Martinez of Waco, Ricardo (Richard) Gonzalez of Irving, Texas, Guillermo (Willie) Gonzalez and wife, Jerri, of Waco, Raul (Dooley) Gonzalez and wife, Leslie, of Hillsboro, Carmen Gonzalez Mays and husband, Wayne, of Lorena, David A. Gonzalez of Hewitt, and Veronica Gonzalez Rivera and husband, Rafael, of Montgomery, New York; grandchildren, Garrett and wife, Melissa, Grant, Grace, Cristy, Patricia and husband, Barry Beavers, J.J., Ashley and husband, Igor Vrzina, Erica, Elissa, Teodulo “Teddy” III, Valerie, Nicholas, Jesus “Mickey” and fiancé Elizabeth, Ambar, Stephanie and wife, Shaquel, Veronica, Jessica and husband, Adam Brooks, Whitney and husband, Zach Brown, Zachary and wife, Haley, Garlin, Greyson, Grahm, Karrah, Katelynn, Elisabeth, Nicolas, MariCarmen, Mason, Trace, Ryan, Madison, MariAnna, Lorena and Ally; and 18 great-grandchildren and one on the way. Also surviving are his two sisters, Maria Luisa Quezada and Esthela Gonzalez Gonzalez. The entire Gonzalez Family would like to personally thank El Conquistador Restaurant customers, friends & family; all El Conquistador employees who work and have worked for him (he loved you all); Home Caretakers, Erika, Mika, Anna, Goya & Tia Esthella; Encompass Home Health, Plano CHF staff, doctors & nurses, Providence CHF staff, doctors & nurses, Walmart Pharmacy staff & Pharmacist Rob, Providence Protime Clinic Nurses, Dr. Sean DeLue, Dr. Ofobuike Okani, Dr. Rodney Richie, Dr. Tony Issac, Dr. Peter Cornell; and ALL those nurses who ever cared for our Daddy. He would meet each of you with a genuine smile and pleasant attitude. Daddy appreciated the love and care that y’all gave him. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our “Memorial Guestbook” at www.WHBfamily.com.