Richard R. Gomes

January 18, 1929-July 18, 2011

Richard Gomes, age 82, a longtime dairyman and member of a multi-generation Merced County ranching family, passed away in Merced on July 18, 2011. He was born on January 18, 1929 in Gustine to Rose and Joseph Gomes. A graduate of Gustine High School, he married Isabel Fraga in 1948. They were married 63 years.

A dairyman for more than five decades in Merced County, he was a founding member and officer of Mid-Valley Dairymen’s Association, a successful marketing cooperative comprised of a number of prominent area dairymen. In 1983 he was appointed to the Merced Irrigation District Board of Directors, and was elected chair of the MID Board in 1988. He was a member of S.E.S. and the Elks Club.

Richard is survived by his wife Isabel; son Richard (Anne) Gomes of Merced; daughter Yvonne (Bill) Gleeson of El Dorado Hills; and daughter Susan (Edward) Hepler of Tracy. Also surviving Richard are his brothers Jerry and Joe; his grandchildren Elizabeth Gomes, Kari Miskit, Zachary Gomes, Greg Hepler, Jeff Gleeson, and Daniel Hepler; and his great-grandchildren Sydney Gomes and Samuel Miskit.

Visitation will be held at Stratford Evans Funeral Home in Merced on Thursday, July 21 from 3-7:00 p.m. A Rosary Mass will be said at St. Patrick’s Church at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, July 22 in Merced. Internment is private.

Arrangements under the direction of Stratford Evans Merced Funeral Home, Merced, CA.