Armando "Cookie" Jurado Gonzales of Superior, Arizona, passed away on July 27, 2020 in Gilbert, Arizona at the age of 86 attended by healthcare professionals in time of COVID-19.

Armando was given the nickname "Cookie" for his affinity for sweets.

Armando was born in Superior, Arizona, to Juan Alvarez Gonzales and Maria Jurado on February 26, 1934.  He completed Superior High School and attended Palo Verde College (Blythe, CA) and Northern Arizona University (Flagstaff, AZ), and the University of Arizona (Tucson, AZ) where he earned a Master's in Education degree.  He started his professional life in education as a high school Spanish teacher in Seligman, Arizona.  He ended his career as a college administrator back in Palo Verde College.  Between his 30 years of work and travel, he served as a teacher, administrator, consultant, and entrepreneur in Arizona, California, and for a brief time in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.  He coached football, started a flower shop under the guidance of his beloved uncle, Tony Dominquez, and helped students attend college through his commitment to education. He once ran for city council in Sanger, CA.   He received many honors for public service and for building programs to help the underserved. Armando always looked to the future for something better for himself and his family.

Armando is survived by his siblings, William Gonzales (Virgie), Angie Munoz (Robert), Hortencia "Tencha" Gonzales, and his children Gilbert (Karen Schmidt), Roxanne Tucker (Alfred), Corina Gonzales, Michael Gonzales, Marie Gonzales, A.J. Gonzales, and Stephanie Robertson and his 24 grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren.

Armando joins his first wife Mary Helen Ramirez Nunez, third wife Cheryl Mavis Gonzales, his eldest son John Anthony Gonzales (Teresa), his recently departed son Richard Gonzales, and his youngest son, Armando Gonzales, his brother Gilbert Gonzales (Norma) of Tucson, and his sister Mary DaRugna (Louis) of Tempe, in eternal peace.

Cookie loved to cook, watch sports on television, play sports, and help those needing help to pursue an education.  He dreamed of new opportunities to better the communities he worked in.  He spent many hours writing grants and proposals to add financial resources for underserved students in places like Guadalupe, Yuma, Tucson, and Nogales.  Armando's pastimes blurred between his work and personal life.  As an entrepreneur, an educator, a businessman, and a loving father, Cookie always cared deeply for others.

As a teacher, he will be missed by his students he touched and opened new ideas about the world around them.  His longtime friends will miss his spirit of companionship in sports, work, and life.  His family will miss an imperfect man who cared for his siblings and family like no other.

Because of Arizona's COVID-19 restrictions, no public services will be held in the near future.  We will announce a Day of Celebration for Armando "Cookie" Gonzales as the pandemic slows or recedes.  We wish the community of Superior and all of Armando's family, friends, and students to be safe and with family during this uncertain time.