SANTA FE, N.M. -- Televangelist Belarmino "Blackie" Gonzales, who founded KCHF-TV in Santa Fe 23 years ago as a Christian television station, has died. He was 74.
Gonzales suffered a stroke on New Year's Eve at his home in Albuquerque, daughter Annette Garcia said. Doctors gave him medication, but he hemorrhaged and died Wednesday, she said.
Besides KCHF, operated through the nonprofit Son Broadcasting Co., Gonzales ran an Albuquerque radio station, KDAC-AM, through Pan American Broadcasting Co. for 36 years.
He was co-host of KCHF's flagship program, "God Answers Prayer," which he began on radio, and was host of "A Healthier You."
A native of Santa Fe, Gonzales served in the U.S. Army, attended the College of Santa Fe and Trinity Theological Seminary in Albuquerque and taught business courses at the College of Santa Fe.
He received an honorary doctorate of divinity from Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Okla., in 2006. He served on the boards of National Religious Broadcasters and Christian Television Broadcasters, was state director of Christians United for Israel and was a board member for World Embassy for Peace and Religious Freedom.
