Javier Gonzalez, 69, of Buda, Texas lost his battle to cancer and went to heaven on August 10, 2022, surrounded by family.

He was born in Los Angeles, California on May 16, 1953. Javier graduated from South Gate High School in 1971. He volunteered for the draft in 1972 and after basic training was stationed at Ft. Gordon in Augusta, Georgia where he completed jump school. Javier was an airborne military policeman and part of the 2nd Battalion 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment. He was honorably discharged in 1974. He graduated from Central Texas College in 1974 with a certificate in Project Transition: Law Enforcement.

Javier joined the Los Angeles Police Department in 1974. He had an illustrious career that included working undercover narcotics where he rode a 1965 Harley Davidson Panhead with a suicide clutch. He worked his way up to Detective, moving into Special Investigations Section (SIS) and retiring in 2008 as a Detective in Robbery Homicide. Javier's favorite assignment was as a street cop in South Central Los Angeles. He was a sought-after partner, "a damn good street cop, and a warrior and hero." In 2004, Javier met the love of his life, Cynthia, and they married in 2008. Upon retirement, they left California for Texas. Javier was a member of the American Legion, the Blue Knights, and The Texas Lawmen organizations. After retirement, Javier had regular phone calls from so many friends old and new. He looked forward to each call, which became a big part of his life and what made him happy - thank you to all for the many hours and stories you shared with him.

Javier was the living embodiment of the term "larger than life." He will forever be remembered for his infectious laugh and witty personality that many say was "good for the soul." He was loved and known by everyone and never met a stranger, always had time for everyone, and never failed to make people feel special. Javier had many loves, including smoking cigars, riding his Harley Davidson, and a good glass of Maker's Mark Whiskey. His greatest loves were his family, and military and LAPD brothers and sisters. Every Veteran's Day, we would sit through the entire season of "Band of Brothers" and "The Pacific." It was always an emotional day for him. Javier will forever live on in all of us, as cherished memories never fade. He will never be more than a thought away, for as long as there is memory, he will live forever in our heart. After he was diagnosed with cancer, Javier would say, "I did everything I ever wanted in life." It warms my heart to know he had a happy and full life.

He is survived by his wife, Cynthia Gonzalez, siblings George Gonzalez, Olivia Gonzalez, Maggie Stevens and her husband Mike, Robert Gonzalez and his wife, Nancy; his children Jarrod Gonzalez and Michael Gonzalez and wife Katrina, and grandchildren, Tristen, Zachary, and Benjamin, and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his father, Fidel Gonzalez, and mother, Esperanza Gonzalez.

"You never said I'm leaving, you never said goodbye. You were gone before we knew it, and only God knew why. A million times we needed you, a million times we cried. If love alone could have saved you, you never would have died. In life we loved you dearly, in death we love you still. In our hearts you hold a place that no one could ever fill. It broke our hearts to lose you, but you didn't go alone. For part of us went with you, the day God took you home." Author Unknown.

Graveside services will be 10:00AM Saturday, August 20, 2022 at Live Oak Cemetery, Manchaca, TX