Ernesto "Ernie" Gonzales, of Lompoc, CA, passed away on January 7, 2021, peacefully, with his wife Joanne by his side.

Ernie was born to Carlos and Frances Gonzales on January 13, 1949, on a rare, snowy day, in Lompoc, California.  He was the oldest of 15 children and deeply loved his mother.  Ernie was a devout Catholic who attended La Purisima Church and strived every day to serve the Lord.

As a lifelong Lompoc resident, Ernie touched many lives in his community.  He attended Hapgood Elementary school, Lompoc Valley Middle School, and graduated from Lompoc High School in 1968.  After high school, he enlisted in the United States Army and served from 1969-1973, with a year spent in Vietnam.

After the war, Ernie worked at a number of jobs.  Still single, he met his wife Joanne in 1993, and married her on May 27, 1995, at La Purisima Catholic Church.  Along with Joanne, came her three children; Tiffany (6) Josh (4) and Issaic (2).  Ernie became the stepfather of these three children and raised them alongside Joanne.  However, all three children never viewed Ernie as a "stepfather" but, rather, as they endearingly called him, "My Dad."

In 1997, Ernie was hired by Lompoc Unified School District, where he worked for 18 years as a building custodian at Cabrillo High School.  Ernie was well liked and respected by the staff because of his dependable, hard-working approach to his job.  Interestingly, the lead custodian at the time, another LUSD employee, recognized Ernie during the interview process because they had attended elementary and secondary school together…and even joined the Army at the same time.  Hiring Ernie ended up being a bit of a "full circle" event for both men.  As each man neared retirement, Ernie shared at a staff retirement party that, "This man isn't just my boss-he's my friend."

Ernie's most passionate hobby was baseball.  His Cabrillo email included the name "Mantle" for his baseball hero Micky Mantle.  Ernie owned and managed the Lompoc Titans for many years.  He loved his players and especially enjoyed watching his children, brothers, nephews, and granddaughter play the game.  At the time of his death, he had two dozen Los Angeles Angels shirts hanging in his closet.  If you knew Ernie, you knew he loved his Angels and remained faithful to the team his entire life.  Later in life, he enjoyed playing the guitar and shared this hobby with his son, Josh.  He also enjoyed fishing with his brothers.

A simple man, Ernie's devotion and loyalty to his family, and to his beloved Angels, is a good example of how he lived his life.  Upon retirement, Ernie was able to spend quality time with his mother, which meant a great deal to him.

Ernie is survived by his wife of 26 years, Joanne Gonzales; daughter, Tiffany Alvarez; sons Joshua Alvarez (Crista)  Isaac Sanchez (Krystal); grandchildren Thomas Nelms; Aubrey Sanchez; Caleena Alvarez; Nova, and Carl Alvarez; sisters Rebecca ( Larry) Jacinto; Evelyn (Luis ) Garcia; Carol Gutierrez; Maria ( Luis) Benitez, Frances (Oscar )Rojas, Rosa (Jeff) Ray, Carlos (Rita) Gonzales; brothers Freddy Gonzales; Jesse Gonzales; Benny (Annette) Gonzales and 45 nephews and nieces.

Ernie is preceded in death by his parents Carlos and Frances Gonzales; brothers Arnulfo Gonzales, Willie Gonzales, David Gonzales; sister Cathy Martinez, niece Michelle Jacinto, and grandson Ian Sanchez.

An open casket viewing will be held on Wednesday, January 13, from 4-7 p.m. at Starbuck Lind Mortuary in Lompoc.  Due to COVID restrictions, mourners may be required to wait a bit of time before entering the chapel to keep social distancing guidelines.  On Thursday, January 14, 2021, a rosary will be held (outdoors) from 9-9:30 a.m. at La Purisima Catholic Church with an outdoor funeral Mass following at 10 a.m.  Immediately upon the conclusion of the funeral Mass, there will be a graveside ceremony at the Lompoc Cemetery.

Flowers can be sent to Starbuck Lind Mortuary.  If anyone would like to provide a monetary donation, please do so in Ernie Gonzales's name to Lompoc Little League Scholarship Fund at P.O. Box 194 Lompoc CA.  93438