James Francisco Gomez, age 92, of Atascosa, passed away on October 26, 2017 in Atascosa. He was born May 24, 1925 in Castroville, the last surviving of six children born to Isidro and Virginia Gonzalez Gomez.
James was inducted into the U.S. Navy in the middle of World War II in October 1943. He served his country honorably as a gunner on the USS Saratoga. After his military discharge, James worked as an aircraft mechanic in civil service at Kelly Air Force Base, retiring after working there for 44 years. On December 20, 1953, James married Celerina Cerda Gutierrez at St. Jude’s Catholic Church. They were married for 57 years at the time of Celerina’s death on January 24, 2011, and were the parents of seven children.
James was preceded in death by his parents, Isidro and Virginia Gonzalez; wife, Celerina Gomez; infant daughter, Mary Gomez; daughter-in-law, Sandra Jo Ibarra Gomez; brother, Charles Gomez; twin sisters, Isabelle Gomez and Margaret Gomez; sisters, Helen (Joe) Santos and Otilda Garcia.
Survivors include his children, Gloria (Richard) DeLeon of Atascosa, Oscar (Lorraine) Gomez of Castroville, Robert Gomez of Hondo, Gabriel (Terry) Gomez of Atascosa, Marcella (Schell) Smith of Atascosa and Clara Gomez of Kailua Kona, Hawaii; sister-in-law, Herminia Gomez; brother-in-law, Abe Garcia; 20 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives.
Visitation will be held Monday, November 6, 2017 from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Tondre-Guinn Funeral Home, with the Holy Rosary recited at 7:00 pm. Mass of the Resurrection will be on Tuesday, November 7, 2017 at 9:00 am at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church. Interment with military honors will follow at 11:00 am at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.
Memorials may be made in James’ memory to the Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church fund or the charity of your choice.
Arrangements by Tondre-Guinn Funeral Home.