Leonides Rangel Gomez, 93, of Stockton, passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday, October 24, 2026, surrounded by his family. Leonides was born April 11, 1933, in Acuitzio del Canje, Michoacán, Mexico, the eldest of the eight children of Manuel and Elvira Gomez. He came to the United States in 1952 through the Bracero Program.
He met his wife, Margarita, while working in Chico, California. They were married in July 1966 and celebrated 60 years of marriage this past summer. He is survived by his wife Margarita Gomez; his daughters, Mary Ann Gomez Orta (Carlos), Jeanne Gomez deSpretter (Karl), Elvira Gomez (Rigo), and Maggie Gomez Burciaga (Damian); his son, Leonides Gomez, Jr. (Tiffany); his grandchildren, Khai deSpretter, Annaveah Gomez, Nicolas Burciaga, Noah Burciaga, and Leonides Gomez III; and his siblings, Francisca Gomez Arreola, Primitivo Gomez, Guillermo Gomez, Benita Gomez, Roberto Gomez, and Celerina Gomez. He was preceded in death by his parents, Manuel and Elvira Gomez, and his brother Lorenzo Gomez. Leonides will be remembered for his warmth, quiet strength, and devotion to his family.
A Rosary will be recited on November 3 at DeYoung Shoreline Chapel in Stockton. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated on November 4 at the Cathedral of the Annunciation, and the Burial will follow at San Joaquin Catholic Cemetery in Stockton.
