Obituary

It is with profound sorrow that we mourn the passing of our cherished son, brother, and father, Carlos Montoya Gonzales. Born on August 6, 1974, Carlos led a remarkable life in Monterey County. He was a well-respected figure in our community, often referred to as "The Legend" byhis nephew. Carlos was deeply loved and admired by many. As his son Scout said, "Every time you left his presence, you already missed him."Carlos had a deep appreciation for nature and joined the California Conservation Corps, where he was selected for the Back Country in 1995. He often shared his dream of hiking and living in the woods in the middle of no where. Later, Carlos embarked on a career as a Correctional Officer at the Soledad Correctional Training Facility (CTF) and retired in 2013. Recognizing that he was still young, he pursued his lifelong passion for photography, establishing a successful career with Los Photography. As Carlos's photography journey flourished he created his new persona, Propix Media. Carlos became the preferred photographer in the County. Carlos was known and seen on the sidelines, fully equipped to capture youth sports, high school events, and much more. His exceptionaltalent opened doors for him to shoot for the NFL, MLB, NCAA, Sea Otter Classic, and USABMX. Carlos has also captured numerous music festivals across various genres. His love for capturing magical moments at the Cali Roots Festival resonated deeply within him, with reggae music embodying his spirit. Carlos accomplished a childhood dream of having his photos published in the Rolling Stone Magazine (2022) and a photo as an album cover for ShooterJennings and Werewolves of Los Angeles Do Zevon (2023). Carlos is survived by his parents, Edward and Delfina Luna, his sister Melissa Vasquez, and his beloved children Scout De'Marrco, Avery Joelle, Chelsea Corona, and his side kick Sphynx cat Kylo-G. Carlos was also a devoted uncle to his nieces and nephews, and a Nino to many. Carlos was the person you knew you could count on at any given moment, family or friend he would be there for you. He was everyone's biggest fan and you could hear him cheer you on nomatter where he was. His infectious laughter could be heard in a loud crowded room. He had an ability to comfort you in your toughest moments. His love for his children was as noticeable as a full moon. When spending time with Carlos you were guaranteed to have a beautiful day. Life with Carlos was precious and memorable. Carlos will be remembered for his passion and dedication to his sports teams, which included the Raiders, San Francisco Giants, and the Florida State Seminoles. Additionally, Moto GP brought him immense joy and excitement when watching races. As we bid farewell to Carlos, we reflect on how his children described him as a warm soul who illuminated every room. He will be deeply missed but will forever live in our hearts and our memories. "You live on".