Christian TV pioneer “Blackie” Gonzalez goes home to be with his Savior

The founder and president/CEO of Son Broadcasting Network, Dr. Belarmino “Blackie” Gonzalez went home to be with the Lord at the age of 74 on Wednesday, January 2, 2008, after suffering a massive stroke New Year’s Eve.

Born on May 14, 1933, and raised in Santa Fe, New Mexico, Blackie was for many years an entrepreneur who operated various businesses until finding his niche in the Christian broadcasting world. Early in life, Blackie served honorably as a non-commissioned officer in the United States Army. He also taught IBM courses at the College of Santa Fe and then opened his own IBM Training School. Blackie and his brother, George, went into partnership with the former Governor John Burroughs of New Mexico, and together they owned and operated KDCE, a bilingual radio station in Espanola, New Mexico. As an entrepreneur, Blackie ran a number of businesses over the years, including KAFE AM and FM radio stations, an art gallery, gas stations, and restaurants.

In January 1984, as part of his new Son Broadcasting Network, Blackie launched KCHF TV-11 out of Santa Fe as the first full-powered Christian television station in the U.S. Since then, the station has continued to air Christian programming locally and internationally via satellite, with a reputation for excellence that garnered it the Station of the Year Award in 2000 by the National Religious Broadcasters.

Gonzalez was also founder/president and CEO of Pan American Broadcasting Company, which owns KDAZ Radio (AM 730) in Albuquerque; a partner in Belmax Broadcasting, which owns KYNM TV-30; and a partner in Health Tech, Inc.

Aside from his broadcasting pursuits, Blackie served on a number of boards and associations, including the President’s Council and Board of Directors for the National Religious Broadcasters (NRB). Additionally, Blackie was the vice president of the Association of Christian Television Stations (ACTS), and the New Mexico state director of Christians United for Israel (CUFI). He also served on the Board of Directors of the NRB Television Satellite Network and the World Embassy for Peace and Religious Freedom, a national prayer ministry in Washington, D.C.

A lifelong learner, Blackie received an honorary Doctorate of Divinity from Oral Roberts University, Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 2006. Prior to this, he attended the College of Santa Fe and Trinity Theological Seminary in Albuquerque. 

As a native New Mexican, Blackie always maintained a tremendous love and appreciation for his home state – and a special love for Santa Fe, the city of holy faith.

Blackie also was a champion for the land and people of Israel, supporting many Israeli organizations, raising funds for the Holy Land in times of need, and taking several solidarity trips to Israel. He dedicated his life in support of the state of Israel and the Jewish people. A few of the organizations that benefited from his support include the Jewish Federation, Hadassah Hospital, Bikkor Cholim Hospital, Hatzolah (Israel’s First Responders), Magen David Adom, and the Israel Ministry of Tourism. In 2007, Blackie was recognized and honored at the annual New Mexico Israel Bonds Dinner.

Above all, though, Blackie’s greatest desire in life was to love and serve God with all his heart, and to see others experience the same love, joy, and peace that he lived with through his relationship with Jesus Christ.

Blackie is preceded in death by his first wife Angie, and son Gary and daughter Cordelia. He is survived by his second wife, Joanna; his son Ted and wife Pamela Gonzales; daughter Mary Kay Gonzales; daughter Vickie Archiveque and husband Anthony; daughter Annette Garcia and husband Jim; stepsons Jhett Browne and wife Jo; Lance Browne and wife Melissa; sixteen grandchildren and one great grandchild; brother George Gonzales and wife Celine; brother Jose Gonzales and wife Mary; and sister-in-law Josie Gonzales; and many other close relatives whom he loved very much.