Coltonite Lee Ruiz Gonzales, "Mr. Lee", Honored by Family

Coltonite Lee Ruiz Gonzales was honored with a military banner installation ceremony on Wednesday, Nov. 5. Gonzales served in the Army and fought in World War II for three years. According to his daughter Lorraine Paniagua, one of those years was spent in a hospital because he wounded his hip and foot while on patrol in Germany, France, and Italy. He was a Staff Sergeant in the Army and received two purple hearts due to his expertise and bravery while serving. Gonzales was born and raised in Colton and according to Paniagua, he was extremely proud of it too. “The whole family goes way back… he watched the city grow,” she shared. Former Colton High Yellowjacket, Gonzales absolutely loved his hometown. “When he got back from the Army, he told my mom (Gabby) that he didn’t want to go anywhere else. He just wanted to stay home,” Paniagua shared. Unfortunately, Gonzales passed away twenty-two years ago. “Most of the family showed up to support him… we are all so proud of him,” Paniagua shared. In Colton, Panigua mentioned that her father known as “Mr. Lee” throughout the community, was extremely well-known. Gonzales, following in his father’s and brother’s footsteps, was a butcher/meat cutter all his life. “He would cook for weddings and events, as well,” his daughter shared. “There were so many people at his funeral… that’s when you can realize how well-known and well-loved he was,” Paniagua shared. “I don’t think he ever had an enemy.” Paniagua’s husband Luis was the one that planted the idea that they should do something to honor her father Lee. “He always tells me how much he loved and looked up to my father,” she said. Paniagua’s daughter Eva Balles lives in Texas so she was unable to make the installation ceremony, however she was instrumental in making sure the rest of her family was there to support her grandfather. “She was her grandpa’s baby… she was so upset that she wasn’t able to come.” Fortunately, Gonzales’ banner is right in front of him and his wife’s house, N and 5th Street. His wife Gabby said, “I get to have coffee with him every morning now.” His military banner installation ceremony was very emotional for the family; however the tears they shed were of joy. “It made the day extra emotional for my mom because the banner was hung right outside her house,” Paniagua mentioned. “She was very overwhelmed.” Although Gonzales never shared his experiences from the Army, Paniagua shared that she now realizes what he went through due to “shell shock”, or better known as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). “We weren’t allowed to talk about war or watch any movies or shows about war,” she said. Gonzales was more into the happy shows and movies: comedy movies and cartoons. “He loved his cartoons… his favorite was the roadrunner.”