Paying Homage to a Special Legacy: Rene S. Gonzalez Memorial Endowed Scholarship
Rene Sanchez Gonzalez was a man of strong faith, born in El Campo, Texas, to Rafael and Teresa Gonzalez. Rene lost his battle with cancer on November 2, 2008 at the age of 41. He is survived by his wife Lorene Cino Gonzalez (’94) and their loving children, Meagan and Nathan Gonzalez.
In his early teens, he was a born again child of God through saving faith in Jesus Christ his Savior and Lord. Rene was an honorable and loving man who valued God, family and friends. He never met a stranger and had a calling to help others.
Rene graduated from El Campo High School and then attended Wharton County Junior College, obtaining an Associate’s Degree in 1987. After much consideration, Rene chose to continue his education at the University of Houston. While attending UH, Rene was an officer in the Hispanic Business Student Association where he found much of his support away from El Campo and his family. He was also a member of Beta Alpha Si and served as an officer in University Christian Fellowship. He graduated UH Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree (1990).
His friendships at UH led him to a job in the BakerBotts Accounting Department. It was there where he met a beautiful young lady, Lorene, who would later become his wife. And, while working at BakerBotts, Rene was inspired to become an attorney.
Rene pursued his inspiration and earned a Doctorate of Jurisprudence from the University of Houston Law Center in 1993.
Upon graduation, he formed Rene S. Gonzalez and Associates in Houston, Texas where he practiced law for 15 years. Over his career, Rene advocated for over 175,000 individuals. He was involved in providing expert testimony in Austin on various legislation affecting all Texans. He was also a member of the Municipal Bar Association of Harris County and the Mexican American Bar Association.
Rene’s grit and mental toughness served him well in his career, but the true test came when he was diagnosed with terminal cancer at the age of forty. He had a strong faith in God and never gave up while he battled this horrible disease. As much as he loved his work, he loved his family more and he fought to spend as much time on earth with them as he could.
His family and friends are honoring his legacy and keeping his name alive forever by creating the Rene S. Gonzalez Memorial Endowed Scholarship at the University of Houston Law Center that is intended for a UH graduate of high moral character and Hispanic background who has been successful in their first year at UH Law.
To make a gift to the Rene S. Gonzalez Memorial Endowed Scholarship, please click here:
To make a Gift by Check:
Please make all checks payable to “University of Houston Law Foundation” and mail them to: University of Houston Law Center Office of Law Alumni Relations 4604 Calhoun Road Houston, TX 77204-6060 Make sure to note that you would like to apply your gift to the Rene S. Gonzalez Memorial Endowed Scholarship.