It is with heavy hearts, and deep sorrow, that we announce the passing of our beloved Daddy, Jesus J. Gomez, affectionately known by his friends and neighbors as “El Guero” Gomez. Dad was born 92 years ago in Julimes Chihuahua, Mexico, and found his home in Derry, New Mexico. After a lifetime of hard work and grit, our dear Dad was called on Labor Day by our good Lord’s side, for eternal rest and peace.
Dad was a dedicated loving husband to Angie Gomez, a loving father to Manuel “Manny” Gomez and his wife Mari, and a cherished father to his daughter, Linda Gomez. He was also a proud grandfather to his grandsons whom he adored, Erick and Michael Gomez. Dad is also survived by a brother, Alberto Gomez, and many nieces and nephews.
Throughout his life, Dad was known for his passions. He had a deep love for fishing and deer hunting, finding solace in nature and the great outdoors. He was a very hardworking chile farmer and entrepreneur, marketing and selling chile to various customers in California, Arizona, Colorado and of course, New Mexico. Dad was always striving to provide only the very best for his family, customers, friends and neighbors. He was well known for planting and growing all of the New Mexico Heritage Chile varieties including the New Mexico 6-4, New Mexico Sandia, Nu Mex Big Jim, and the highly sought after, Barker extra hot. Prior to becoming a chile farmer, he had also left his mark in the world of construction, having worked to complete the NM I-10 & I-25 bridges, overpasses, and flood control dams. During this time, Dad mastered the carpenter trade, concrete work, metal work, and painting. Always, passionate and a perfectionist at everything he did. He was especially proud of having completed the final paint work on several of the I-10 bridges built in the Las Cruces vicinity.
Jesus was also a mentor and a teacher. He taught everything he knew about farming, construction, and life in general to his son Manny, and daughter Linda. Even though he never had the opportunity to achieve a higher education himself, he knew the value of going to college, and completing a college education/degree. He strongly encouraged both Manny and Linda to choose a career and go to college. In the Jesus and Angie Gomez household, the question was, “What are you going to study when YOU GO to college?” Manny attained higher level degrees in both Mechanical Engineering and Economics, and Linda in Education.
Dad was preceded in death by his father, Francisco Gomez, mother Erlinda Gomez, four brothers, three sisters, and his in-laws, Jesus and Mena Vega. His cherished memory will live on in our hearts, and of those who knew and loved him.
He will be remembered for his strong work ethic, his teaching and mentoring, and his love for God, family, friends, neighbors, and his zest for life. His legacy will continue to shine like a bright star in the community he called home in Derry, New Mexico. As for his secret ingredients to a successful and happy life; love of God, family, hard work, have a passion for what you do, eat plenty of chile (red or green), and never skip dessert!
Visitation for our Dad will begin at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023 in San Isidro Catholic Church, Loma Parda St. in Garfield, NM. Rosary will follow, and thereafter, the funeral mass will be celebrated. The rite of committal and interment will follow in the Hatch cemetery, Garden of Memories, where he will lay to rest.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Jesus Jose Gomez, please visit our
Heartfelt Sympathies Store.
