TITLE: In memory of Rafael "Ralph" Gonzales Jr. of San Marcos.

SUMMARY: In memory of Rafael "Ralph" Gonzales Jr. of San Marcos.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, Residents of San Marcos lost an admired restauranteur and civic leader with the passing of Rafael Gonzales Jr. on January 25, 2025, at the age of 90; and WHEREAS, The son of Rafael Gonzales Sr. and Virginia Lopez Gonzales, Ralph Gonzales was born in Martindale on October 30, 1934; he dropped out of school in the seventh grade to help support his family; on February 17, 1956, he married the former Mary Juarez; they became the parents of four children, Jerry, Peggy, Debbie, and Virginia Jeannie, and the family later grew to include seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; after the couple found success selling sausage links out of their home, Mr. Gonzales opened a small restaurant, Pic-A-Taco, that later grew into a two-story establishment; a longtime San Marcos favorite, the business ultimately developed a national reputation, and Mr. Gonzales was invited to cook for President Jimmy Carter in the nation's capital in 1980; and WHEREAS, Mr. Gonzales was renowned for his compassion; during local floods in the 1970s, he provided free food to victims and recovery workers, and following a major earthquake in Guatemala, he organized volunteers to deliver five truckloads of food and supplies to the country; he also came to the rescue of the Southside Community Center when it lost key funding; from 1980 to 1990, he served as a Hays County commissioner, and over the years, he gave generously of his time, talent, and resources to many organizations, among them the Senior Citizens' Center, the Scheib Opportunity Center, the Hays County Women's Center, and the American GI Forum; in 1996, he founded a nonprofit, Nosotros la Gente, which continues to provide footwear to children in need; Mr. Gonzales was the recipient of numerous accolades, including the 1976 Citizen of the Year award from the Hays County Citizen;and WHEREAS, Devoted to his family and his community, Ralph Gonzales made a meaningful difference in the lives of his loved ones and fellow citizens alike, and his contributions will be remembered for years to come; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Rafael Gonzales Jr. and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family and to his many friends; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Ralph Gonzales. Zwiener Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 524 was unanimously adopted by a rising vote of the House on March 31, 2025. Chief Clerk of the House