Dr. José Vicente González Ángel

Dr. José Vicente González Ángel passed away on March 1, 2026 at his home in Adel, Iowa.

José was born in Winston Salem, North Carolina on June 29, 1959, to Cuban immigrant parents. He grew up alongside his beloved mother, father, and seven siblings in Western Iowa where he graduated from Underwood High School. While completing his undergraduate degree at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska, José discovered a deep passion for serving communities with limited access to medical services in the Dominican Republic. For six summers he lived in, as he'd say, "el campo" and learned about the importance of holistic medical care.

His experiences in the Dominican Republic helped him build a foundation for the ethics that would guide his career: competent healthcare is not a privilege, but a human right. In conjunction with his studies at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, José discovered what the world needed of him, further establishing his mission to cultivate leaders, invest in healthcare, and support communities that were often overlooked.

Following residency, José moved to Des Moines, Iowa to begin his career as an internist and, within a short period of time, he was elected Chief of Staff. During this time, he was active in an international exchange program between health care practitioners in Iowa and the southern state of Stavrapol, Russia.

After over a decade of working as an internist, a leader, and a teacher in the Des Moines area, he transferred to Mercy Clinics where he took pride in his efforts to further palliative care for his patients and help countless people "die with dignity." He continued to work with palliative care at Arbor Springs, Glennwood Resource Center, and Woodward Resource Center.

In "1999 or so," he founded The Des Moines Latin American Medical Clinic (La Clínica) to address an undeniable lack of services for underserved populations in the area. Alongside healthcare professionals, he operated on a pay-as-you-can model and taught residents and young physicians the value of holistic, service-oriented care: "that to serve others is to find yourself." He found teaching in this environment immensely rewarding and, in one of his proudest achievements, received the Teacher of the Year award for his non-traditional teaching practices.

Despite his numerous achievements and accolades, José valued and prided his family above all else. For José, family was never about blood, it was about heart. He cherished the many memories created with family and friends on "the farm." Everyone that knew José, knows how proud he will always be of the work ethic, determination, and commitment to service that he instilled in each of his children. As a father, there was never a weekend that went by where he wasn't on the farm, starting projects with his kids and hosting dinners of his famous black beans and rice, surrounded by friends and family. As his kids started to leave the nest, he began to take his "show on the road" and was often traveling to visit loved ones and make new memories, at la Casa de los Monos or wherever "los niños" were off to next.

He was preceded in death by his parents and many cherished community members. He is lovingly remembered by his children, whose lives he shaped through (sometimes) quiet guidance, generosity, and unwavering love. He also leaves behind siblings, family, and many friends who became family over the years and were fortunate to share in his life. Papí, José, Pepe, Dr. Angel, regardless of how you knew him, leaves big boots to fill, but the world is a better place because of him. "I gave it my best shot, I tried to love... the most powerful force in the universe."

Please join us in celebrating and remembering the life of José Angel. The visitation will be held from 9:30 - 11:30 AM on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church (7075 Ashworth Road, West Des Moines, IA 50266), immediately followed by a Funeral Mass at 11:30 AM. The service will be livestreamed on the Caldwell Parrish website.

In an effort to honor his legacy, his children would appreciate a donation of memories and stories uploaded to this folder.

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