Johnny J. Gomez

Johnny Joe Gomez (John J. Gomez) affectionately called Sonny Boy by his family went to be with the Lord on August 17, 2012. John a Colorado native was born in the Farmer's Spur Area of Weld County on May 6, 1939 to Ladislao and Simona (Quintana) Gomez. He married Ruth Moralez on December 2, 1956. They lived, loved, laughed and prayed together for fifty- five years. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary by traveling to Italy. John was raised and educated in Greeley. He earned his High School Equivalency Certificate on June 2, 1969. John attended Aims Community College and received his Associate in Arts and Sciences June 6, 1980. He was elected to Who's Who Among Students in American Junior Colleges in recognition of outstanding merit and accomplishment as a student at Aims Community College. John went on to the University of Northern Colorado to earn his Master of Arts degree in Agency Counseling on June 12, 1982. He was an outstanding student who obtained his degrees on Scholastic Scholarships. John's career path was varied. He worked for produce warehouses, masonry construction, and Monfort of Colorado. After completing his education John was employed by the Weld County Sheriff's Office as a Corrections Administrator. In this capacity he supervised the Counseling staff, Work Release Program and Home Detention Program. He retired from Weld County May 31, 2001. John was also employed as a part-time instructor by the Psychology Department of Aims community. He taught Human Potential Seminars. John touched many student’s lives for 20 years. John was a generous and loving man. A devoted father, husband, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, brother-in -law and cousin. His family was always his priority. He loved to work on his yard which brought joy to his family and passers-by who admired it. He also raised a vegetable garden and specialized in growing an outstanding crop of yellow and Jalapeno peppers. He shared his bounty with family and friends. He loved wood working and being a perfectionist he created many beautiful pieces of furniture and home accessories for his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The day before he passed away he had worked on a toolbox for a great-grandson. He had already done some Christmas shopping for his great-grandchildren. He loved celebrating the holidays surrounded by his family. John was a person who had a strong sense of civic responsibility . He worked on fund raising projects for both Our Lady of Peace and St Peter Roman Catholic churches. He was also active in scholarship fund raising efforts through LULAC. He was a past member of the Greeley Elks, Knights of Columbus and other community organizations. John was a supporter of Democratic Party candidates and also worked to help local non-partisan officials. He enjoyed traveling aboard to Italy and Spain. John made a yearly pilgrimage to the Santuario DE Chimayo. John was extremely proud of his Spanish and Mexican heritage. His Quintana family has been traced to colonist arriving in New Mexico on April 21, 1695. On August 8, 2008 he attended a Quintana family reunion where he met some relatives that still live on Spanish Land Grant Property. His father's family came from Los Altos DE Jalisco Mexico. John is survived by his wife, Ruth; two sons, Johnny Joe (Kim) Gomez and Gerry Gomez of Greeley, CO; a daughter, Roxanne (Charles) King of Denver, CO; granddaughters, Audrey (TJ Stevens) Gomez, and Lilian Gomez of Greeley; grandsons, Jeremy (Gabriela) Gomez, Noe (Kammi) Arrelano, Rory (Stacie) King, Levi (Deoni) King of Denver; brother, Ladisloa (Larry) Gomez of Greeley; sisters, Lucia Gurrola, Simona (Bert) Antuna, Rufina (Robert) Duran of Greeley; ten great-grandchildren, Brandon Gomez , Kayla Gomez, Jonathan Gomez, Dorian Stevens, Micha Stevens, Teak Stevens, of Greeley; Emmanuel King, Esyah King, McKenzie King, Austin King of Denver. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers; and three sisters. John was greatly loved by many nieces and nephews who called him Uncle Sonny Boy. He will be missed by many special friends. God gave him to us and we have many wonderful memories of him. We have an empty space in our heart that cannot be filled. He fought a courageous battle for four years against Lung Cancer but God called him home. Recitation of the Rosary will be held at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, August 23, 2012 at St. Peter Roman Catholic Church. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Friday, August 24, 2012 at St. Peter Roman Catholic Church 915 12th Street Greeley, CO.