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Austin Lucio Gonzales was born January 18, 1982, in Springfield to Shellie Spell Engelhardt and Jeffery Gonzales. Austin passed away August 14, 2025, at the age of 43. 

He will always be remembered for his contagious laugh, one-of-a-kind nicknames, signature sayings and pranks. Austin was a tough man, yet underneath that toughness was a soft teddy bear side that he showed for his family and friends. He lived for his family. It was a life of authenticity, purpose, joy, and teaching those around him the values of hard work, honesty, and living fully. Austin was larger than life: fun, intense, unforgettable, and most of all, loyal to those he loved. 

Austin came into this world making a statement by being the largest baby born in Springfield. He graduated from Springfield High School in 2000. His time in high school was one of sports and friends where he participated in football, basketball, and racing.

In 2000, he went off to college to pursue auto mechanics in Sterling at Northeastern Junior College. This was a passion handed down to him from his Dad and Grandpa Turkeybutt. 

After college, he moved to Denver. Here he met the love of his life, Melanie Kaye Kleber. After dating for two years, they married September 29, 2007. To this loving union they welcomed their sons, Easton Cole July 16, 2013, and Brody Cash October 2, 2024. His family was his pride and joy. To know Austin was to know his devotion to his wife and his boys. There was never any doubt that he would move mountains if demanded so by them. 

Marriage and fatherhood were highlighted by many joys. Their time was spent on the baseball field where he helped coach his son, and then they spent late nights in their garage working on his red truck and their dirt bikes. Austin was more than happy to pass on his love for all things gasoline and diesel, and most importantly his red truck, to his boys or anyone who would listen. If you did not find Austin in his garage, he might have been teaching Easton the ropes on the towing job site, hunting for Bigfoot, watching something Superman, or enjoying fishing and shooting with the whole family.

Austin is survived by his beautiful loving wife, Melanie; sons; Easton and Brody; mother, Shellie and David Engelhardt; father, Jeffery and Laurie Gonzales; brother, Rhian and Shayla Gonzales; nieces, Julianna, Quinn, and Tilly; brother, Keagan and Kayla Gonzales; nephew, Kanyon; Melanie’s family, who he always considered his own parents, Phil and Dixie Kleber; sister, Dawn and Marcus Macias; nephew, Colin and Millie Miller and family; nephew, Kyle and Tabby Miller and family; brother, David Kleber and Jered; several aunts and uncles; extended family; and many friends.

A Go Fund Me page for Austin’s family has been setup at http://gofundme.com/f/support-for-austin-gonzales-family-whv77