Ronald Lee Gonzalez went home to be with his departed family and friends in the early hours of January 25th, 2025. Born on June 13, 1937 in Spelter, West Virginia, he was the beloved son of Ida Vasquez Gonzalez and Edward “Lalo” Gonzalez. He is survived by the love of his life, Sandra L. Coffman Gonzalez to whom he had been married for more than 60 years; their daughter Suronda Gonzalez (Dee Davis); two grandchildren, Brett and Eve Arnold; one sister-in-law, Aurellia Bilyard (Ron); several precious nieces, nephews, and cousins as well as a wealth of dear friends across the globe. A life-long Catholic, who as a kid used to hide from the priest when it was time for Catechism, Ron was an active member of St. Ann’s Parish in Shinnston and loved his church family dearly.
Ronnie was a proud Victory High School Eagle, graduating with the class of 1956, with whom he remained connected over these many years. Coaching Little League baseball was one of his greatest joys and where he met his lifelong friend, Don Comer. His career was highlighted by leading his team to a memorable championship win. Ron was a West Virginia man his whole life. He worked in the local zinc industry for more than forty years. Zinc was the same industry that drew his family to this country and to Spelter, the same town where his grandfather and father worked. A natural storyteller, he became one of the keepers of the Asturian diaspora’s history and would often regale others with memories of his youth and the vibrant Asturianos who built so much in Harrison County, West Virginia, and across the United States. In 2010, he took the trip of a lifetime with his cousin Bobby to visit the old home place in Asturias that his family left over 100 years before.
Ronnie always loved the latest in technology. In the 1970s, he became an enthusiastic member and officer of a local CB radio club forging meaningful connections that enriched the entire family. Additionally, he played a pivotal role in founding the Hispanic Heritage and Cultural Association in Clarksburg, which gathered Spanish-speaking and Latino communities to celebrate and preserve our rich cultural traditions.
More recently, you could find Ronnie sharing stories (sometimes tall tales), looking at old pictures, and laughing about the good times. If you talked to him for even a short time, you’d know he had a passion for history, politics and social justice. He was a CNN junkie. He also enjoyed classics of the silver screen. There wasn’t a cowboy or western that Ron hadn’t seen 12 times, and he would often narrate the scene to the family before the events happened on screen. In 2006, his “adopted son” Luis Argeo made him a movie star as they worked to document the early 20th Century migration of families from the Asturias region of Spain to North-Central West Virginia in the film AsturianUS.
We know he is sad to have left us, but is now home with ancestors and friends watching over events here. Let’s hope he has connections to set some of the politics straight. He will not be at a loss for an opinion. And, as he was famous for saying with a chuckle, a raised eyebrow, and a twinkle in his eye, “That’s the way it goes, first your money, then your clothes.”
Friends will be received at Harmer Funeral Home on Sunday, February 2, 2025 from 2:00PM-7:00PM. Holy Rosary will be recited to conclude the visitation. A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Monday February 3, 2025 at 10:30AM at St. Ann Catholic Church with Rev. Akila Rodrigo T.O.R. as Celebrant. Interment will follow at Shinnston Memorial Cemetery
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St. Barbara’s Memorial Nursing Home at 31 Saint Barbara’s Road Monongah, WV 26554 or Milan Puskar Heath Right at 341 Spruce St. Morgantown, WV 26505.