Cathryn Jean McCanlies Gonzales, M.D., age 53, passed away Saturday, September 26, 2015, in Arkadelphia, Arkansas.

Cathryn was born April 27, 1962, in Stephenville, Texas to Jerald Lee and Darla Harkey McCanlies.

Cathryn lived in De Leon through early elementary school and graduated from Brady High School. After high school, she graduated from Angelo State University and then went on to earn her medical degree from the University of Texas School of Medicine while raising three children. She owned and operated her own medical clinic in Magnolia, Arkansas, with a sincere determination to care for her patients. Many friends and patients would say that Dr. Gonzales was not in the medical profession for financial gain, but because she possessed a true desire to help people get well.

Cathryn loved all animals. Early in her education, she even considered pursuing a Veterinarian degree. She devoted much of her spare time to rescuing abandoned animals and caring for them at her home. She was steadfast and determined once she set a goal for herself and her goals were to position herself to be of service to others. She enjoyed gardening, crafting, being outdoors and camping. While she had many achievements to be proud of, her family was her pride and joy. She loved them all dearly. Anyone who knew Cathryn has been immensely blessed by her kind spirit and unwavering love.

Surviving Cathryn are her husband, Eugene Gonzales; two sons, Tracy Rickman and Drew Rickman; daughter, Megan Gonzales; mother, Darla McCanlies; grandchildren, River Rickman, Lydia Rickman, Everett Rickman and Abbey Jones-Rickman; brother, Chris McCanlies; grandmother, Orene Harkey; niece, Kerissa Bell; nephew, Christopher McCanlies; other extended family; and many friends. She was preceded by her father, Jerald McCanlies.

Funeral services were held Wednesday, September 30, 2015, at 10:00 a.m. at Nowlin Anders Funeral Home in De Leon. Interment followed in Downing Cemetery.

If desired, memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association at P.O. Box 11454, Alexandria, VA 22312, in memory of Cathryn.