Gilroy Sanchez Gonzales

Gilroy Sanchez Gonzales, age forty-eight, died in Dallas, Texas, on August 26, 2022.  Born on February 13, 1974, in Las Cruces, New Mexico, he was raised in Dallas, Texas, by his parents, Velma Sue and Gilbert R. Gonzales.  As a flight attendant and later a critical care ICU nurse and manager, he lived in many cities across the country, including Dallas, Texas; New York City, New York; Saint Louis, Missouri; Chicago, Illinois; and Seattle, Washington.

Gilroy, known as “Gil” by his family and friends, graduated from Plano East Highschool and continued his education receiving a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in 2011 with a Major in Nursing from Texas Woman’s University College of Nursing in Denton, Texas; a Master’s of Science in Nursing in 2017 from Rush University in Chicago, Illinois; and was working to complete his Doctor of Nursing Practice when he passed, having completed eight out of ten semesters.

After nineteen years as a Purser / Flight Attendant with American Airlines, Gil pursued a remarkable career in nurse medicine, receiving certifications as a Registered Nurse, a Certified Nurse Manager Leader, a Certified Acute and Adult Critical Care Nurse, a Stroke Certified Registered Nurse, and a Certified Neuroscience Registered Nurse.  He worked as a Registered Nurse in the Neuro Science Surgical ICU at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas; as a Course and Clinical Assistant at Texas Women’s University; as a Clinical Educator and a Registered Nurse in the Neuroscience ICU at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago; as a Neurosurgery / Neurocritical Care Clinical Specialist at Integra Life Science in Plainsboro, New Jersey; as a Nurse Manager in the Neuro Critical Care Unit at Swedish Medical Center in Seattle, Washington; as a Clinical Nurse Manager in the Neurology/Neurosurgery ICU, in St. Louis, Missouri; and ultimately as a Nurse Manager, specializing in Surgical Intensive Care, at Methodist Dallas Medical Center.

He received numerable honors and awards throughout his life – as early as being a finalist in the Dallas Morning News Teenage Citizenship Tribute in 1992.  He was a frequent and prolific speaker and an author on neuro surgical / ICU nursing and critical care and was active in all of the communities where he lived.  He was well known for his unwavering positivity, determination and energy, passion for learning, his work, and life, and being a tremendous friend to all who knew him – Gil never met a stranger.

He is survived by his mother, Velma Sue Gonzales, who lives in Dallas, Texas, and friends around the nation and globe.  He was preceded in death by his father, Gilbert R. Gonzales.

Memorial services will be held from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. on October 15, 2022, at the Chapel, Cathedral of Hope, in Dallas, Texas.  All friends and family of Gil are welcome at the memorial service, which will be followed immediately by a celebration of life event at Tiny Victories, a venue nearby in the Bishop Arts District where Gil lived.

In lieu of flowers, you may make a donation via Go Fund Me to a drive established to help Velma transition to new living arrangements; Gil was her sole caretaker, son, and best friend.