Mike Gomez, 67, Ottawa, died Wednesday, July 14, 2004,at his home. Graveside services will be 10a.m.Monday at Highland Cemetery, with military honors performed by Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo.

He was born Dec. 31, 1936, to Medardo and Mary (Salazar) Gomez at Dulce N.M. He grew up in New Mexico, graduating from the Aztec, N.M. High School in 1954. He received a degree in languages from Syracuse University and spoke eight languages.

He served in the U.S. Air Force from1957 to 1981, retiring as a captain. He was stationed in Nebraska, Korea, Japan, Germany, Texas, New Mexico and Florida. He served 10 years as a signals intelligence officer and 12 years as a voice processing technician. He received the Bronze Star in Vietnam and the Air Medal with 10 oak leaf clusters.

He married Gracia Byrd Jan. 3, 1959, at Bloomfield, N.M. They divorced. He married Deana Farris May 29, 1984. She survives.

He was a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5901, Ottawa.

Survivors also include four daughters, Melinda Morales-Shydohub, Albuquerque, N.M., Lora Martinez, Bloomfield, Patricia Hess, Rio Rancho, NM., and Carmen Keene, Arlington, Va.; two stepdaughters, Becky Carey, Ottawa, and Chris Simone, Silver Lake; a stepson, Brice Farris, Lawrence; five sisters, Rebecca Gonzalez, Gloria Fernandez, Alvina Aguirre, Darlene Cruz and Delores Prado, all of Bloomfield;two brothers, Valentin Gomez, Bloomfield, and Joseph Gomez,Corona,Calif.;and 13 grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a sister, Cecilia Serna. Memorials maybe made to Midland Hospice in care of Dengel&Son Mortuary.Condolences may be e-mailed to the family through dengelmortuary@ sbcglobal.net

Mike Gomez Obituary in PDF format with photo.


From Darr King:

"Never saw Mike without a huge, infectious smile on his face. Never heard him utter a disparaging word...about anything or anybody! Mike was a wonderful human being. RIP brother, and thank you for the time you shared with us...we were always much better afterwards."