Edward Gonzales

Connect What inspired your most recent tattoo?

My new wife told me I am “relentless”! The way I spread my positivity and genuinely care for people. She says nobody has effort like I do and I fell in love with that word. I grew up very poor and was not supposed to make it. I joined the Army at 17 and stayed for 28 years. During that time I worked for the prison systems for 15 years. Also I am a youth sports official. I have been doing this for 24 years. I chose to make something for my self. Relentless Effort.

If your ink could speak, what would it say?

My Tats tell a story I couldn’t tell for years. Tattoos have been a way to show my emotions. In a time when I was asked out my head down and work. Flowers on my arms for my sisters, a queen of hearts for my mom who kept me of the streets and out of trouble with card games. Also struggles and adversities of war and death that I have had to witness and never speak of. On my legs I am starting to tell a story of my youth through cartoon work and monkeys. Monkey was my child hood nickname.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I am going to college. In 2023 I left the military and the prison systems I began a new path. At age 44 I started college. In 15 months I graduated in with a BA in family community support. I am now in school chasing a Masters in educational policies and leadership. School is expensive. I want to be an athletic director for the educational system. Keep the kids safe and away from the negativity I have seen is out there. These kids are the next facilitators or tenants of these buildings.