Nery Noel Gonzalez Rodriquez

In the beautiful land of eternal spring, Nery Noel González Rodriguez was born to Hilda Maria Rodriguez Herrera and Manuel Maria González Salazar on September 2, 1967. He was the seventh child in a family of nine and is survived by three brothers and four sisters.

As a child he was known throughout his hometown of Comalapa as Conejo. He was an active child who loved to play soccer, hangout with his friends - which he later discovered were his cousins -, round up the local dogs and was a Boy Scout.

His father was beloved in his town, serving in many leadership roles, and owned the local butcher shop. As a child, Nery worked alongside his father, learning the craft, and spent many happy times learning life lessons with his father. When he was 9 his family met the missionaries for the LDS church, that same year he was baptized, in his words “it was something that changed my life forever. I found the restored gospel and my life took a different path from my friends and family".

When he was 16, he left home to study in Antigua. There, he had many happy times with friends and is where he made the decision to serve an LDS mission.

In February of 1987 he left for his mission to serve in the Quetzaltenango Guatemala mission. In December of 1987, while walking with his companion and a second set of elders, he and his companion were struck by a drunk driver. His companion, Elder Orozco, was killed on impact. Nery was rushed to the ICU. He spent two months in recovery at the hospital and mission home, although, many will tell he was the happiest Elder. You would have never guessed what had happened to him. He dedicated the rest of his mission to preaching the gospel, helping the families in his area and bringing happiness and joy to those around him. He made lifelong friends, that carried him throughout his life, a sweet brotherhood that he cherished with fondness. In the church he had many callings from primary teacher, member of the high council, branch president, member of the bishopric, and many more. Each calling he gave his full dedication too, cherishing the sweet memories and camaraderie with those he served, it was his joy to serve his Savior.

In 1989 he returned home and started his student teaching, where he met Amalia Contreras de Ramirez who would be his future mother-in-law. At a party for a returning missionary companion, he was introduced to Rosa Amalia Ramirez Contreras, his future bride. After a rocky meeting, they crossed paths again in, “Seño Amalia’s”, classroom where Rosy went to pick her mom up from work.They made plans to go to another party and from there a romance blossomed.

In July of 1989, Nery proposed to Rosy and they were married and sealed for time and all eternity in the Guatemala, Guatemala temple on September 1, 1989. They were soon blessed with the birth of their first daughter, Allison Amalia González Ramirez, followed by Allexis Mariah González Ramirez Nelson.

In 1994, Nery made the decision to move to the United States. Soon after, he was joined by his family and in July 1994 they welcomed their third daughter, Allissa Cherisse González.

In Utah, his family flourished and he started work as a salesman at Ken Garff Salt Lake, returning to the career he had started in Guatemala. This was the start of a career spanning over 30 years. He made lifelong friends and was known throughout Utah as “El Fuerte”. His signature commercials on Spanish radio made him well known and respected in the Latino community.

In 1997, Nery and Rosy welcomed their son, Nery Andres González. With a growing family, Nery and Rosy purchased their first home in the United States, in West Jordan, in September 1999. Nery loved to take his kids to the drive-in movies and on family road trips where they visited, Las Vegas, California, Florida, and even as far as Guatemala! During those road-trips, he shared with his family his love of adventure, music, jokes and quoting movie lines.

Nery’s entrepreneurial spirit led him to open many business endeavors. He opened Don Manuel Market in 2005, a Spanish market in Orem. He opened Cafe-ta-q-va in 2008. He opened his auto dealership, NG Auto, in 2013 and a wholesale auto dealership America First Auto in 2020. Wherever Nery was, he was followed by a loyal clientele, that not only went to him to buy cars but to get life advice and chat with him, as many of his clients considered him a close personal friend.

In 2017, he welcomed his first grandchild, Noah Mitchel Nelson, followed by Gianna Ruth Nelson and Belén Mariah Nelson. He was lovingly called “Apa” by his grandchildren and they were his joy. He loved to dance with them and rock them to sleep. He had no greater joy than watching his grandchildren enjoy his favorite foods.

In March of 2021 he was diagnosed with stage four colon cancer. During his years battling cancer he truly lived up to his nickname, “El Fuerte”. Through every treatment, procedure, and progression of his illness he showed courage and strength that was truly incredible. On April 10, 2023 he passed away in the loving arms of his beloved wife, ending his mortal journey to embark in his eternal life.

A beloved brother, husband, father, grandfather and friend. He is survived by his wife Rosa Amalia Ramirez Contreras de González. His children Allison A González, Allexis M González (Mitchel Nelson), Allissa Cherisse González, and Nery A González (Vanessa González). His grandchildren Noah Nelson, Gianna Nelson, and Belén Nelson. His siblings Luis, Sonia, Mari, Olinda, Jose, Arturo and Ana. He returns home to his Father in Heaven and the loving arms of his parents, Hilda and Manuel González, Eloína, his sister, and his beloved in-laws, Amalia and Samuel Ramirez.

A loving and honorable man, he is remembered for his generous spirit, and happy heart. The joy that he blessed those around him with will be sorely missed.

A viewing will be held on Wednesday, April 19th from 6:00 to 9:00 PM at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 E. Dimple Dell Road (10600 S.), Sandy. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, April 20th at 2:00 PM with a viewing from 12:30 to 1:45 PM also at Larkin Sunset Gardens.