GOMEZ, Agaito R. "Pete"

GOMEZ, RUIZ, DOCKSTADER, BALTIERRA, JERMELAND, MUNIZ, NAVARRO, MARIGOLD, SANNES, GARCIA, MORALES, CHAVEZ, MUNIZ

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 4/8/2018 at 04:06:58

Obituary ~ Agapito "Pete" R. Gomez
October 08, 1922 ~ June 11, 2001

The Globe Gazette
Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
Wednesday, June 13, 2001

MASON CITY -- Pete (Agapito) R. Gomez, 78, died Monday (June 11, 2001) at 1716 Fourth St. S.E. in Mason City, with his wife and seven children at his bed side.

His funeral will be held 10:30 a.m. on Thursday at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 305 Fifth St. S.E. in Mason City, with the Rev. Carl Ries officiating. Interment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery, with full military rites. Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. today at Fullerton Funeral Home, 123 Second St. S.E., with a wake service at 7 p.m. Those wishing to express their sympathy may direct memorials to the Pete R. Gomez Memorial Fund.

On Oct. 8, 1922, Pete was born to John and Maria (Ruiz) Gomez in Corpus Christi, Texas.

In 1943 Pete served his county during WWII. He was involved in the Rhineland, Central Europe, Ardennes, Northern France and Normandy battles/campaigns and was awarded five Bronze Stars, Purple Heart, Good Conduct Metal and the Bronze Star Medal. In 1945 Pete returned home.

Pete Gomez was united in marriage to Gretchen Dockstader on June 22, 1946, in Mason City. The couple spent 17 years on their farm in Otranto, until making their home in Mason City.

When one begins to reminisce on the fond memories that were shared between family and friends they remember a man that was early for everything (there was no excuse for being late) he was competitive and lived life to the fullest. He was a coach for Otranto Grade School, coaching girls and boys basketball and softball/baseball. He loved going up North fishing for walleyes and northerns with his wife and family. Pete enjoyed hunting, gambling, playing cards, golf and was an avid Hawkeyes basketball fan.

It became Pete's ritual to watch TV on Western Wednesday (this was his cowboy day). As a family they would take weekend trips and attend the army reunions.

He was a member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church, a life-long member of the VFW, and DAV.

Those who will cherish Pete's memory are his wife, Gretchen, of Mason City; their five daughters, Toni Baltierra and her husband, Tom, of Mason City and their children, Tori Jermeland and her husband, Steve, and Tommy Joe; Rita Muniz and her sons Martin and his wife Chondalis, Antonio and his wife, Gina, and David; Karen Navarro and her husband, Alfonso, of Rochester, Minn. and their children, Heather Marigold and her husband Mike, of Lt. Aniceto, and Santiago; Debra Navarro and her husband, Robert, of Rochester, Minn. and their children, Christina Sannes and her husband Kevin, Robert and Dominique; Mary Garcia, of Des Moines and her daughter, Katie; two sons, Tom Gomez and his wife, Cathy, of Mason City, and Bruce Gomez and his wife, Debra of Omaha, Neb. and their children, Katherine, Nathan, Molly and Joshua. He is also survived by five great-grandchildren, Olivia Rae, Jenna Mae, Niko, Elena and, soon-to-be, A.J.; one brother, John Gomez, of Mason City; two sisters, Concha Morales, of Kansas City and Lucy Chavez, of Mason City; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Pete is preceded in death by his son-in-law, Alberto Muniz Jr.; his parents, John and Maria Gomez; two brothers, Tom and Michael; four sisters, Isabel, Carmen, Mary and Rita; and three nephews.

Fullerton Funeral Home, (641) 423-8676.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, April of 2018