Camilo R. Gomez

Camilo Gomez was born on July 28, 1924 in Monclova, Coahuila Mexico to Gilberto and Candelaria Gomez. Although he lived his entire life in Houston, Texas, he did not become a naturalized U.S. Citizen until 1943. Camilo was one of five children. He is preceded in death by his two older brothers, Gilbert and Roy Gomez. He has a set of twin siblings, Oscar and Stella, both of which still reside in Houston.

Camilo proudly served in the U.S. Army Air Corp. from 1943 to 1946. After his honorable discharge from the military and his return to civilian life, he followed in his brothers footsteps and learned the jewelry trade.

In 1956 Olga and Camilo were married in Houston, TX. After their marriage Camilo and Olga bought their first home in Almeda Plaza where Camilo put his building talents to good use. Along with his brothers and brothers-in-law, he built an additional den onto their home where they would have plenty of room to entertain family and friends. It was during this time that a group of their friends declared themselves “The Dirty Dozen”. They had many costume parties and get-togethers and enjoyed each other’s company for many years.

Camilo began his career in the jewelry business at Star Jewelry and Corrigans for a number of years before starting his own jewelry manufacturing business, Camilo’s Jewelry, in the West Building. Later he moved his shop to the Texas Towers. He later expanded the business to include a retail store along with his jewelry repair shop. His wife, Olga and daughter, Gayle, helped him run the retail part of his business in the Spring Branch area.

In 1967, the family moved to Spring Branch. Camilo and Olga were blessed with three beautiful daughters, Gloria Gayle, Olga Louise, and Norma Elena. Family was always of the utmost importance to Camilo and Olga.

Camilo and Olga enjoyed spending time at their beach house in Surfside, Texas, socializing with family and friends. Whether at home in Houston or in Surfside, Camilo loved to barbeque. Even after their children were married and started their own families, family dinners were a weekly event. When the red plates came out, you knew there would be enough food to feed an army and it would be delicious!

It was important to both Camilo and Olga that their daughters learned about the Hispanic culture through their membership in organizations such as Familias Unidas and L.U.L.A.C.

Camilo was a proud grandfather to Virginia, Victor, Joshua and Kim. He also has 5 great-grandchildren, Taylor, Thomas, Brandon, Briaunna and Bella of whom he was also very proud.

After retiring, Camilo and Olga enjoyed traveling with family and friends to various places, including Las Vegas, Branson, Missouri, Lake Tahoe, Nevada, Hong Kong, and Alaska.

At the age of 86, Camilo graduated to be with the Lord on December 29, 2010 with family and friends by his side. Camilo lived life on Earth to the fullest and is now experiencing eternal life where there is no more sorrow and no more pain.

The family will receive friends at a visitation from two o'clock in the afternoon until six o'clock in the evening on Sunday, January 2, 2011, in the chapel of Waltrip Funeral Directors, where the Rosary will be recited at 3:00 p.m.

Family and friends will gather again in the funeral home chapel on Monday, January 3rd to celebrate this wonderful man's life in a service beginning at one o'clock in the afternoon, led by officiants Reverend Michael Van Cleve and Reverend Lee Maxcy.

Graveside services will follow in Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery, with full military honors provided by the United States Air Force Honor Detail and members of the V.F.W. Post 8790 Honor Guard.