Nick M. Gonzales
Nick Michael Gonzales, age 69, passed away due to complications of Interstitial Pulmonary Disease on November 24, 2020 with his wife and daughter by his side. Nick was born in 1951 in Denver, Colorado and was adopted by his parents J. Celestino Gonzales and Edonila Martinez Gonzales.
Nick married Barbara Hofheins June 27, 1970, together they raised 4 children. Even though their marriage ended in 1986, their respect and friendship continued throughout his life. He married Susan Kay Ivie Christmas in November 22, 1986 and altogether they have 7 children. They were later sealed in the Mount Timpanogos Temple.
Nick loved learning and attended BYU for communications where he received his BS degree, DeVry University for electronics, University of Phoenix for business where he received his Master’s degree. He was always learning new things and his passions were family, golf, photography, genealogy, hiking, biking, helping others, studying anything related to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and keeping a nicely mown lawn.
Nick was an electronic engineer and was fascinated with the intricate details of circuitry. His great love was looking through the electron microscopes where he worked at Micron/I.M. Flash. He had many years in the electronic field starting with Lawrence Laboratory in Livermore, California, Motorola, Philips Semiconductors (Signetic’s), Fairchild Semiconductor, L3 communications and then Micron/I.M. Flash. He retired at age 60 for medical reasons.
Nick enjoyed the outdoors and golfing was at the top of the list. He was able to get a job at the Cedar Hills golf course where he enjoyed working on the golf carts and to golf any chance he could. He was an avid hiker and one of his favorite places to hike was American Fork Canyon. He loved hiking the Timpanogos Cave Trail and two years ago he hiked to the cave over 120 times in one season. He loved the rangers and staff at the cave and would speak fondly of them often. He also loved hiking all the other trails in the canyon and several times to the top of Mt. Timpanogos. He was one of the instructors of the silver sneakers yoga and exercise class at AF Fitness center. He also ran, he completed 3 half marathons and multiple 5k charity races.
Nick and Susan served a stake mission together in Elk Grove, California where they worked with the full-time missionaries in the “tell me about your family” program.
Nick loved and enjoyed his friends, golf buddies and neighbors. He loved to help everyone.
He is survived by his wife Susan K. Gonzales, his children Sue Nicol (Scott), Paul Christmas, Clarrisa Lee (Justin), Ben Gonzales, Brian Christmas (Mary), Megan Montgomery (Jen), and Kellie Gonzales. Six grandsons, 6 granddaughters and 4 great grandsons.
Please join us in celebrating Nick’s life. A viewing will be held from 9:30 to 10:30am on Friday December 4, 2020 at the Cedar Hills 16th ward building located at 10455 North Ironwood Drive, Cedar Hills, Utah. Per family request, masks are respectfully required throughout the service. The funeral will be broadcast through Zoom following the viewing on Friday December 4th at 11:00 am.
Please join us at the following link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84958823992
Meeting ID: 849 5882 3992 Dial by your location 1-669-900-9128 US
Interment will be at the Pleasant Grove Cemetery following services.