Israel Gomez, of Victoria, 92 years strong, a father, grandfather, and great grandfather, entered into eternal rest on Saturday, April 9, 2022, at Citizens Hospital, surrounded by his loving family. A man of humble beginnings, he was born on November 20, 1929, in Laredo, TX, to the late Rafael and Candida Gomez.
The son of a South Texas rancher, he was a real cowboy at heart. Like his father, a former Hebbronville, Texas School Board President, he believed in education and graduated with a business degree from North Texas State College in Denton, Texas. And like his mother, who was raised in a Catholic convent, he valued integrity and would settle for nothing less. He joined the United States Army in 1951 and served in the Korean War, attaining the rank of Corporal. After his Honorable Discharge, he went on as a civilian to modify atomic bombs for the Atomic Energy Commission at Medina Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. He purchased, owned, and operated a Texaco Gas Station as he loved working on vehicles. After that, he pursued a career at Dupont in Victoria, Texas. He retired from DuPont in 1985 after 17 years of service as an operator and mechanic. After retirement, he enjoyed tinkering and inventing and spending time with the grandchildren.
His five children survive him; daughters, Annabelle Gomez, Rebecca (Jay) Fidler; sons, Israel (Cheryl) Gomez Jr., Rolando Gomez, and Albert (June) Gomez; sister, Virginia Lydia Melton; grandchildren, Cheri, Jacqueline, Andrew, Kristine, Judge, Brandi, Alisha, Jennifer, Stephanie, Natalie, Sophia, Nickolas, and Brody, and numerous great-grandchildren.
In addition to his parents, Mr. Gomez was preceded in death by his wife, Estella Guerra Gomez and a brother Rafael Gomez Jr.
On Monday, April 18, 2022, Visitation will be from 4-6 PM at Rosewood Funeral Chapels, 3304 Mockingbird Lane, Victoria, Texas 77904. Funeral services will be Tuesday, April 19, 2022, at 10:30 AM at Rosewood Funeral Chapels, with burial to follow in Resurrection Cemetery with full military honors under the auspices of the Victoria Veterans Council.
Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.rosewoodfuneralchapel.com.
