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| SUN LAKES LIFESTYLES | SEPTEMBER 2024 | | SUN LAKES LIFESTYLES | SEPTEMBER 2024 | 73 73 Kenneth (Ken) M. Brass entered into his eternal home on July 11, 2024. He was born in Rushmore, Minnesota on September 19, 1928 to Albert and Alvina (Schaefer) Brass, the eldest of four children. Ken spent most of his childhood in Worthington, Minnesota where he swam and sailed on the lakes in the summer and ice skated and sledded on those same lakes when they froze over in the winter. He also built model airplanes, worked at a golf course and learned to operate a threshing machine. Following his graduation from Worthington High School, Ken and his family headed to California seeking work and a better climate. In 1951, he enrolled in the Navy "on a dare" and spent time in Guam as part of the U.S. Naval Construction Forces, better known as the Seabees. After his service, Ken settled in the Los Angeles area returning to carpenter work with his father and uncle. In 1957, Ken joined the Los Angeles Fire Department where he served and supported the Los Angeles communities for 28 years, retiring as a Battalion Chief. After he retired, he spent his time with his family skiing and sailing. He even learned to play golf. His carpenter skills continued to be used – and appreciated – whether it was installing kitchen cabinets for family, or helping his grandsons build their Eagle Scout projects. Ken had always wanted a classic car and in 2011 he purchased a 1938 Packard, sending him on a journey for many years meeting other classic car collectors. It was at such a meet up that he was introduced to his wife, Lavinia, a recent widow, showing her red Volkswagen "bug" affectionately called "Herbie." Ken would often say "it was love at first sight" – and a year later they married. Ken and Lavinia spent their days traveling in the Packard (they once took a trip to every California mission), celebrating the milestones of their grandchildren and enjoying their Sun Lakes community. As Lavinia often shares, they "had a beautiful life." Ken is survived by his wife of nine years, Lavinia; his daughter Cheryl Okamoto (Steven); six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Ken was preceded in death by his son, Randall. A memorial service will be on Sept. 19, from 11 am to 2 pm at Grace Lutheran Church in Banning. Jose Gonzalez, aged 91, passed away peacefully on March 15, 2024, at his home. He was born on September 10, 1932, in El Paso, Texas, to Demetrio and Cornelius. Jose was a proud resident of Sun Lakes Country Club. He graduated from Jefferson High School in 1950 in El Paso where he was elected as the first student body president of Jefferson High while at the same time lettering in both basketball and baseball. At the age of 19, he enlisted in the United States Air Force and was stationed in Seoul during the Korean War. He earned the Korean Service medal along with three other medals while in the Air Force. Jose was the clerk typist of his base in Korea and would go on to earn his sergeant stripes over his four years in the Air Force. Jose's sharp analytical skills resulted in him getting assigned to run the NCO club at Nellis Air Force base in Las Vegas. His keen typing skills got him working on some of the first computers ever developed for the Air Force at both Nellis and White Sands, New Mexico. After he was discharged, he made his way back to El Paso to marry his high school sweetheart, Mary Elva, on October 29, 1955. With the highly sought after computer skills he learned in the service, Jose accepted a position at the Southern California Gas Company as an analyst and moved his family to Los Angeles in 1962, the inaugural year of the Los Angeles Angels. Jose would stay with the Gas Company for 25 years until he decided to retire at the very young age of 55 and move to Sun Lakes Country Club. Jose and Elva moved to Sun Lakes 36 years ago and are on the Founder's Board at Sun Lakes where they also started the Couples Club. Jose would go on to teach his wife how to play his favorite sport, Golf. For the next 30 years, if Jose and Elva weren't spending time with their five children, 13 grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren, you could find them on the golf course enjoying their favorite past time. Jose and Elva traveled all over, playing golf in places like Mexico and Hawaii. Jose was one of the first members of the Men's Club and enjoyed following Buddy Allin, the original golf pro at Sun Lakes, around the country while he played on the Seniors Tour. Jose's favorite trip was playing at Doral with Buddy where Buddy won one of his PGA Tour victories. Jose was well liked by everyone because he always could find good in everybody. He would pass on his athletic skills to his children, coaching his girls in softball and boys in baseball and hardly ever missed a game of any of his children, even if he had to fight through heavy Los Angeles traffic to be on time. His family meant the world to him, and he wanted everyone to be home for dinner every night so he could hear about their day. Jose is preceded in death by his older sister Nena, his older brothers Celio, Daniel, and Abel and his oldest child and daughter Roselva. He is survived by his wife, Elva; younger brother Saul; younger sister Mary Lou; children Cindy, Joey, Joel and Jeffrey; along with his 13 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, and still counting.

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