John was born in Kress, TX on November 24, 1943 to Santos Carrion and Pete Gomez. He went to school and spent most of his adult life in Clovis, NM. He entered the Army In 1967 and served 2 years with the 1st Infantry Division, known as the Big Red One, deploying to Vietnam as a field artillery specialist. He came home a decorated veteran with many commendations, including the Bronze Star Medal.
John returned to Clovis and married Gloria Montano on January 16, 1970. He began his career as a letter carrier with the United States Postal Service and worked there for 35 years. He sincerely loved his job and developed long lasting friendships with the families he served. After his retirement, John and Gloria relocated to Phoenix, AZ to be closer to their 2 daughters and their families.
In his younger years, he enjoyed drinks with his brothers and friends while they fixed cars, cheered for his favorite sports teams including the Dallas Cowboys, attended his daughters’ activities, and hosted family gatherings. In his later years, John enjoyed early morning walks followed by coffee with friends, reading the daily newspaper cover to cover, reporting the news to the family and laughing out loud at the comics. He took pride in his role as “spoiler in chief” to his grandchildren, who gave him the name Pampo that everyone used from then on.
Family and friends remember his sense of humor, his loyalty, his fierce pride in his family and his home, his work ethic, and above all his radiant dimpled smile.
He is survived by his wife, Gloria Gomez, daughters Vickie Kelsey (TJ Kelsey) and Maria Gomez (Jason Vargas) and grandchildren Isabelle, Tyler, and Leah Kelsey; and Mia and Lucas Vargas, brothers Paul (Esther), Jesse (Eva), Tane (Patricia) and Neto Gomez. He was preceded in death by his brother Henry (Pilar) and sisters Paula Monsevias and Paulina Pacheco (Benny).
A viewing will be held on Sunday, October 4, 2026 from 4:00 to 8:00pm with rosary starting at 6:00pm at A.L. Moore-Grimshaw Mortuary, 710 W. Bethany Home Road, Phoenix, AZ 85013. Funeral services will be held on Monday, October 5, 2026 at 10:00am at A.L. Moore-Grimshaw Mortuary to be followed by burial at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, 23029 N Cave Creek Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85024.
