John David Gonzales

John David Gonzales, 44, was born on August 31st, 1979, to Maria Corinna Teresa Erickson and James (Jimmy) Gonzales in Kansas City Missouri. John was the eldest of his nine siblings, Karl Gonzales (Lorena), Kenneth Elliot, Daniel Elliot, Monique Gonzales (Jaime), Hector Rodriguez (Katie), Jackie Rodriguez (Oscar), Matthew Rodriguez (Ana), Ana Garcia, & Jeremy Rodriguez. John was an uncle to 26 nephews & nieces whom he loved dearly.

John was a lifelong Kansas City native, and he took great pride in his Kansas City Chiefs and Royals. Throughout his childhood his mother, Maria, was partnered with Hector Rodriguez Sr., whom John valued as a father figure. Maria and Hector moved their family to California where they lived for a couple years, and he and his siblings continued to develop a close relationship with the Rodriguez family. The family then moved back to Kansas City, Kansas and eventually made their way to the northeast of Kansas City, Missouri.

It was here at the young age of 14, that John met his lifelong partner, Jackie Ojeda at Westport Middle School. Jackie was attracted to John because of his funny personality, his handsome looks with his Cali swag, and it was a bonus that John passed her the math quiz answers. Mrs. Bay, the math teacher, wanted to make sure John & Jackie remained together because John was well behaved in class with Jackie by his side. From there on they were inseparable. Jackie remembers John always drawing beautiful art pieces and even entering one into The Lowrider Magazine art competition. The work submitted and selected was dedicated to Jackie. He was so proud that his artwork was picked. Karl, John’s brother, was always tagging along and they loved to crack jokes on each other.

John became a father at the young age of 18 to his firstborn, Noel Gonzales, on March 28, 1997. John knew it was time for him to grow up and to provide for his family. Along with his best friend, Jason Richardson, he was taken under the wings of a well experienced painter. John & Jackie lived with Jackie’s parents, Joseph Ojeda Sr., and Stella Ojeda whom he loved as his own family. Five years later, Jackie gave birth to Maria Estella Gonzales and John David Gonzales Jr. on May 20th, 2002. John was so happy to be a father to twins. He initially wanted two more boys because he didn’t think he could handle being a girl dad. But once he laid his eyes on Maria, his only baby girl, he was immediately in love.

You could often find John throwing a baseball to his son Noel in front of the Ojeda’s house on Belleview. The Gonzales family became a baseball family attending Noel’s baseball games during several summer and fall seasons. He loved to see his boy on the field and Noel’s natural talent was so rewarding to him.

John was known for being particular about his cleaning and for following Maria’s footsteps in being a neat freak. Maria remembers when the twins were little, John would have them listening to techno music cleaning the house calling Maria & Johnny the Malarkey’s.

After many years of enduring a lot together, John and Jackie eloped in Colorado on April 11th, 2021. John was honored to be a husband and father. His children were his most cherished gift. John also loved his siblings very much and it meant the world to him to get to spend more time with his siblings towards the end of his life.

Silently for many years, even as young as seven, John dealt with depression. In recent times, John was being challenged to be proactive in being self-aware and seeking help. It was a huge desire for John to break the cycle he was so accustomed to, but it wasn’t easy for him. John will be missed dearly.

He is proceeded in death by his mother Maria Corinna Teresa Erickson, his maternal grandmother Mary Helen, his stepmom Patricia Renfro, his father-in-law Joseph Ojeda “Pops” Sr., sister-in-law Lisa Ojeda Moreno, beloved cousin Anthony “Tony” Rodriguez, and his lifelong best friend “Jay” Jason Richardson