Rudolph Christopher Gomez

He was born to Luciano Gomez, Sr. and Madalena Gomez on January 30, 1960 in Refugio, Texas. The family later moved to Corpus Christi and then to Austwell, Texas. Years later, he graduated from Austwell-Tivoli High School. At the age of 16 Rudy moved out on his own and put himself through high school while holding a job. It was during his high school years that he met his wife of 47 years, Minerva (Minnie) Gomez and a few years later became a proud father to their daughter, Rebecca. Once married, Rudy was employed by Brown n’Root in Seadrift, Texas. In 1984, after being laid off, the family moved to Webberville, Texas. He then took a job with Exxon as Store Manager where he managed various store locations. In 1985 he moved on to work for the Department of Public Safety (DPS) as a mechanical technician. During his tenure at DPS, Rudy moved from working on vehicles to transporting them as the DPS wrecker driver and then as the DPS Inventory & Store Specialist, selling DPS surplus vehicles to other state agencies. Rudy went on to retire after 30 years with the DPS. Once retired, he got bored so he began working at Ace Hardware as a sales person. Being a jack-of-all-trades, he loved that job. He loved solving problems for customers by offering his expert advice and by sharing his knowledge with customers. Once his wife retired, he became fully retired as well, bought an RV and was blessed to have gone out on a few excursions with his dear friends before he became ill.

As a married couple, Rudy and Minnie loved going dancing together and with friends. From polka dancing to country western, line dancing, conjunto, and Tejano music, you name it, they loved it. It is the one thing that his wife will miss tremendously, especially since Rudy was a great dancer.

As a father, his daughter, Rebecca, was his true joy. From an early age he taught her many important skills including how to build things and how to fix things around the house. He selflessly devoted his time to her and her family during the years that she was severely ill. Something that her and her family will forever be grateful for. He also loved teaching his SIL, Steve Vasquez, how to bar-b-que. He even welded him his own bar-b-que pit.

As a grandfather, both he and Minnie agreed that as parents you love your children unconditionally; however, the love you have for your grandkids is beyond words. He loved being a grandfather. To his dying days, he made it his mission to spoil his three beautiful granddaughters (Ariel, Sierra and Makayla) to the fullest.

Besides being sociable and a great jokester, Rudy’s love in life was fishing, hunting, barbequing, and playing dominos. He ventured out on as many hunting & fishing trips as possible and volunteered to bar-b-q for family, friends and the church anytime the chance arose. The Triple R Bar-B-Que team (Rudy, Robert [Wenske], Robert [Pina]) brought wins, fun, and laughter among friends. Once retired, he and his friend enjoyed welding and selling bar-b-que pits. His jack-of-all-trades title was earned with the help of many people, from Domingo Saenz, Tivoli Mobile employer, to Nacho, Gerard, and Rick Perez, and Terry Herrin, as well as others, of who are too many to mention. In addition, his love and commitment to his faith was put into practice by the many times he helped on church projects, including serving on the building committee for the new church; RE teacher for many years, and his life-time commitment to the local Knights of Columbus (KOC). Rudy reached the 4th Degree status with the KOC and at one point served as grand knight. Many of his long-time friends were those he met once his joined the KOC and served alongside them on the many projects they all worked on.

Special thanks to DPS Sergeant Ryan McKittrick, James Moczygemba, and the DPS Fleet staff for their on-going support and assistance with the funeral arrangements. The compassionate care offered by Aspen Hospice Care will forever be appreciated. Additional thanks to all the family and friends that walked this path with us during these last few months, your visits, prayers, and acts of kindness did not go unnoticed.

Rudy is preceded in death by his parents, Madalena and Luciano, Sr. Gomez, brothers, Felix, Mark, and Richard. Rudy is survived by devoted wife, Minnie Gomez, his daughter and son-in-law Rebecca and Steve Vasquez, as well as his three granddaughters Ariel, Sierra, and Makayla. He is also survived by his brothers Johnny and Luciano (Maria), and sisters Isabel Leal (Joe), Mary Lou Martinez, and Petra Blanton (John). Rudy will be greatly missed by family and friends. As a family we will hold on to every memory that we shared with him and keep his spirit alive in all we do as a family for as long as we all live.

Visitation will begin at 6 PM with a rosary at 7 PM on June 30th at Providence Funeral Home in Elgin, TX. A funeral mass will be held at Sacred Heart Church in Elgin at 9 AM. Burial will immediately follow at Tivoli Cemetery in Tivoli, TX.