LeRoy Gomez, 86, passed February 2021 in Denver, CO. LeRoy was the husband of Mary (Nena) M. Gomez (the love of his life), preceding him in death November, 2019. They shared 62 years of marriage.
LeRoy was born in Northern New Mexico in 1934 and was the son of Adelaido and Frances Gomez. He spent many long hours in the saddle and working the fields, helping with the family ranch in Pojoaque, NM. He graduated from St. Michael's High School in Santa Fe and went to college at the University of New Mexico receiving a Bachelor of Science in Biology. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. He did post graduate work at George Washington University in Washington, D.C.
LeRoy met Nena while she was his Nurse Supervisor during a volunteer stint at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Santa Fe. LeRoy promised Mary she would see the world and indeed they did, living in Albuquerque, Denver, Washington D.C., Seattle, and Dallas. They traveled extensively throughout Asia, Europe, the Americas, Africa and even Antarctica. Some of the travel adventures included their best friends, Adam and Pauline Trujillo.
Leroy was recruited out of college by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). His strong science and bilingual abilities propelled him to an outstanding career in the FDA. He consulted with numerous governments across the globe, especially in Latin America improving food, drugs, medical and radiological devices, and cosmetic safety for millions.
LeRoy’s accomplishments were many, including being the first Hispanic Regional Director of the FDA, receiving the highest federal employee award: The Distinguished Federal Service Award, as well as the FDA Award of Merit, Equal Employment Achievement Award, and the Hispanic Employment Program Achievement Award. LeRoy was a member of the Denver Federal Executive Board and was among Who’s Who of Hispanic Americans. He was very proud of advocating for and helping bring the state-of-the-art FDA Laboratory and Office on-line at the Denver Federal Center.
Upon his retirement in 1994, after 34 years of service to his country, then FDA Commissioner, Dr. David Kessler (now President Biden’s Chief Science Advisor) noted “Mr. Gomez, you have distinguished yourself as a leader and proponent of equal employment opportunities for women and minorities. Your record of accomplishment is truly noteworthy.”
LeRoy was a wonderful husband and father who taught and believed that family came first. His is survived by his children; Anthony (Denise Fredette) Gomez, Lisa Gomez Prince, Marsha (Bryce) Snellgrove, Gary Gomez, and Catherine Martinez, grandchildren; Ryan, Jason, Kayla, Andrew, Regan, Natalie and Alec, great grandson; Hayden, his sisters; Sylvia (Harold) Sexton and Earleen (Jim) Eden, and in laws; Marcella Armijo, Bernadette (Victor) Garcia, Adolph Garcia; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. He is preceded in death by his sister Carmen, sisters-in-law Mary (Tita) Kurucz and Loretta Garcia, brother-in-law Charles Armijo and son-in- law, Mike Prince.
LeRoy was an involved and devout member of Church of the Risen Christ Catholic Church for over 40 years with faith in God being a primary driver of his life. He was a Lector, Eucharistic Minister, usher and a member of the Knights of Columbus. He volunteered at Children’s Hospital as a liaison between hospital staff and Spanish speaking patients and families. He also volunteered at the Denver Food Bank.
A funeral mass will be scheduled at Church of the Risen Christ at a future date. A family only service can be viewed on-line via YouTube, March 5th at 2pm MT at www.risenchristchurch.org. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in the memory of LeRoy Gomez to the Food Bank of the Rockies at www.foodbankrockies.org
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