Christian M Gonzales
February 5, 1969 - November 27, 2021
Christian M Gonzales was born February 5, 1969 in Santa Fe, NM. He went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Saturday, November 27, 2021. He lived and worked most of his life in Albuquerque. Christian is lovingly known by many of his friends as “The Mayor” because everywhere he went, he either knew someone or made it a point to make new friends. Even though he had many qualities like being a compassionate and generous person, most people will probably remember him for his enduring smile and contagious humor. He loved to dance, and he lived life with joy. He was heartfelt, empathetic, kind, caring, thankful, patient, content and had a servant’s heart. He always tried to make people feel valued, and he lived his life putting others first. He invested in people by always remembering to wish them happy birthday, ask about their family, or send encouraging texts or bible verses. Christian had a special way of relating to people by assigning them a nickname that was unique to that person which enabled him to create that special bond with each individual. He was a uniter and a peacemaker; bringing people together and bringing them to God.
He was blessed with loving, caring and patient parents that guided him and taught him how to be a good man and were forgiving when he got into trouble. The instilled good values in him that gave him the foundation of a relationship with Christ which would ultimately make him the man he would become that so many knew and loved. Christian loved and respected his parents and was thankful to have them in his life and made a point to spend time with them any chance he had.
Christian was a graduate of Del Norte High School and had fond memories of his time there and all his friends; many of whom he remained friends with throughout life. He attended CNM becoming a Certified Phlebotomy Technician. In 1990, he began his 31-year career in healthcare at Tricore Reference Lab as a phlebotomist where he eventually advanced to Supervisor of Anatomical Pathology. He then went on to become an IT analyst at Presbyterian Healthcare. He continued a career in healthcare by doing contract work in St. Louis, MO at Barns Jewish Christian Healthcare. He most recently worked for Honor Healthcare System in Phoenix, AZ as an Epic IT analyst. His work and colleagues were important to him, and he thought of them as a ministry unto the Lord.
Christian’s first love always was and will always be the Lord Jesus Christ. He spent time daily with the Lord in His word and in prayer; even if just for a few minutes. No matter the circumstance, he could be quoted as stating, “God is in control,” and his life verse was a basis for that faith he put in God.
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.
He was diligent to pray for, encourage, minister to and share the gospel with his family, friends and strangers. It was through his service at Church that he met the other love of his life, his true love, his wife Joanna. They were married on May 29, 2004 and had a loving marriage of 17 beautiful years. He was faithful to God’s word that instructs husbands to love your wife as Christ loves the church, and Joanna says, “He may obtain the biggest crown for that ministry alone”. Christian served the Lord for many years in the Children’s Ministry and the Safety team at Calvary Church in Albuquerque. He also served a short time on the Safety team at Calvary in Phoenix, AZ, where he and Joanna have lived since 2019.
Christian was a practitioner and Instructor of American Krav Maga. He trained at Duke City Krav Maga where he obtained the rank of Brown Belt in Intensive Personal Protection Krav Maga (IPPKM) a military self-defense and fighting system developed for the Israeli Defense Forces. He was also affiliated with Global One Defense which provides life defense training for citizens, Public Safety, business owners, places of worship and many others. Christian’s focus was personal safety and he would often share this knowledge with his loved ones and friends (especially his 18 nephews and nieces that he adored) in the hopes of keeping them safe in this world.
Christian was a protector at heart. He had the utmost respect for Military, Law Enforcement, Firefighters, Paramedics/EMTs and all First Responders. He gravitated to heroes of this type because of his great admiration for them and what they do. He made some of his very best friends among these public servants and was proud to be worthy of their friendship. His own personal contribution to public service was becoming a Chaplain with International Fellowship of Chaplains (IFOC). If he couldn’t be a First Responder himself, he wanted to be of service to them as a chaplain. He was always available to them as a listening ear, an encourager and as a friend.
Christian was preceded in death by his brother and sister, Eric Clayton and Tammy Murphy-Roberts. Christian is survived by his wife, Joanna; mother, Rachel Escandon and Step-Father Antonio Escandon; Father Francilio Clayton and Step-Mother Doreen Roberts Clayton; Father-in-Law Leroy Brazfield and Mother-in-Law Tonella Brazfield; brothers and sisters-in-law, Mike and Monica Roberts, Roman and Alexis Escandon, Nicolas and Hayley Escandon, Juan Escandon and Sylvana Mayorga, and Antonio(Toni) Escandon Jr; Brother-in-law and Sister-in-law, Leroy Brazfield Jr and Jocelyn Brazfield; nieces and nephews, Beau, Austin, Judea, Canaan, Makayla, Melanie, Mya, Macy, Marissa, Samuel, Dylan, Hunter, Chase, Diego, Cortez, Penelope, Magnolia, and Isabella; many aunts, uncles, cousins, extended and church family and friends (you all know your personal nickname). He will be dearly missed, but the genuine love he poured out will live on in the hearts of those whose lives he touched.
A service to honor him and celebrate his life will be held in Albuquerque on Friday January 7, 2022 at 11am at Calvary Church, 4001 Osuna Rd NE. A reception will be held immediately following the service on the church campus.
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SERVICES
Celebration of Life
Friday, January 7, 2022
11:00 AM
Calvary Albuquerque
4001 Osuna Road NE
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87109