Jose "Joe" "Chepe" A. Gonzalez

Jose “Joe” “Chepe” Antonio Gonzalez, age 84, of Overland Park, KS and formerly of Topeka, passed away on Sunday, March 10, 2024, at Glenwood Village in Overland Park.  

He was born the son of Jose B. and Leonor (Alverez) Gonzalez on July 6, 1939, in Topeka, KS. Joe attended and graduated from Topeka High School in 1959. He furthered his education at Washburn University and graduated with a bachelor's degree in 1965. 

On October 17, 1964, Joe married Cynthia Pilar Garcia at St. Matthew Catholic Church. Together, they shared 59 years of marriage.  

Joe started his working career, teaching science for one year at Auburn High School. He then started his long career for Bayer in Kansas City, MO, retiring as Plant Manager and Research Chemist.  

Joe’s hobbies included playing the trombone while in high school and college and continued playing throughout the years with various bands. He enjoyed trips to the casino, traveling and watching KU sports. Joe was a talented artist and devoted coach to his children, spending ten years as coach and coordinator for JCGAA-girls youth basketball.  

He was a former member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church and a long-time member of Holy Cross Catholic Church in Overland Park, KS. Joe was never one to sit idle and stayed active by playing tennis, keeping up his musical talents and always loved to attend his grandchildren’s school and sports activities. In his later years, he would watch his daughter coach soccer for Shawnee Mission West High School. He was a proud KU dad and KU Grandpa. Joe will be dearly missed.  

Survivors include his beloved wife, Cynthia Pilar Gonzalez of Overland Park, KS; son, Jose Antonio Jr, (Christie Parker) of Durham, NC; daughter, Lucy Leonor Flynn (John Flynn) of Lawrence, KS; and daughter, Sarah Dolores Gonzalez (Katelyn DePenning) of Merriam, KS. Other survivors include his loving grandchildren, Jack Flynn, Kate Flynn, Natalie Gonzalez, Matthew Flynn, Molly Flynn, Saul Gonzalez, Carmen DePenning-Gonzalez, Cora DePenning-Gonzalez, Joseph DePenning-Gonzalez; as well as six siblings, Ediberto Gonzalez (Lola), Benjamin Gonzalez (Doris), Julia Zuniga (dec. Rudy), Leo Gonzalez (Francine), Virginia Noriega (Delmont), and Juanita Gonzalez. Other survivors include many nieces, nephews, and extended family.  

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, and sisters, Julia Gonzalez and Dolores Carmona.  

He will lie in state on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, from 5-7:00 P.M., with a rosary at 7:00 P.M., at Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, Topeka, KS. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 A.M., on Thursday, March 21, 2024, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, Topeka, KS. Burial will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery-Topeka. Lunch following burial at Marlo Cuevas-Balandran Activity Center, next to Our Lady of Guadalupe. 

Memorial contributions can be made in Joe's memory to Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. Contributions can be mailed or left with the funeral home.