To celebrate the life of Benjamin Gonzales, Kappa Alpha will be holding a memorial benefit on Feb. 10, 2007.
Gonzales, member of Kappa Alpha was involved in a fatal car accident on Dec. 28, 2006 when his truck collided with tractor-trailer that was clearing a pervious accident.
Friends who knew Gonzales say he was one of the nicest people you could ever meet and many say Ben never met a stranger.
“He was just a great guy, and anytime you needed someone to talk to, he was there. He always put everybody else first,” freshman Briana Pfeifer said. “He’ll be missed by everybody he’s ever known.”
Being an avid guitar player and composer, Gonzales’ life spilled out a beautiful music to make others around him always feel welcome.
“He was one of the friendliest guys I’ve ever known. He could talk to just about anyone, it didn’t matter who they were,” freshman Jeff Fairchild said.
Knowing of his infectious love for music, his brothers from Kappa Alpha decided they needed to hold a daylong memorial celebration filled with lots of music and memories of a great friend.
“Kappa Alpha President, Steven Wendel and I really wanted to do something for Ben’s family, so we came up with the benefit concert,” senior Tim Walker, member of Kappa Alpha said. “Ben was a musician and we wanted to host local bands who love the music just like Ben did.”
Approximately 12 local bands that are scheduled to play include: Bryce Bursey Band, Jeff Butler, Adam Polzin, 19 street Band, Brandon Gardener, Shortround, Mixed Review and Gonzales’ fathers’ own band, The Ray Gonzales Band.
“All types of music will be played. Everything from alternative to country, jazz to blues, very emotional to uplifting songs will all be represented,” said junior Orlando Velasco, soon to be Pledge of Kappa Alpha. “Since Ben’s parents will be there, this will be a great opportunity for them to see that Ben had a lot of close friends and I think this will help his parents with various expenses as well.”
With various funeral costs as well as other miscellaneous expenses occur when there is a death in the family, Kappa Alpha wanted to help out the Gonzales family in anyway possible.
“Open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., admission will be $10 and $5 for a plate of barbeque,” Walker said. “This is a BYOB event. We want people to come out and enjoy themselves because we know that this is the way Ben would have wanted it.”
In addition to music, the event will also host a silent auction where people can bid on various items donated by local Huntsville businesses such as: Players Hideout, Elkins Lake and Zach’s.
As Kappa Alpha is eagerly waiting for the concert to arrive, Walker believes many will come out to remember Gonzales.
“I put out an invitation on Facebook for the event, and as far as I know, I’ve had 130 students already attending,” Walker said. “Ben’s entire family is coming from Dallas.”
The benefit will be held from 11a.m.-11p.m. at the KA house, located at 905 15th Street, Huntsville, TX, 77320.
For more information on Benjamin Gonzales’ Memorial Benefit Concert, please contact Tim Walker at (936)662-7043 or stdtaw15@shsu.edu.