Obituary of Joel D. Gomez

CARD OF THANKS as Published in the Santa Barbara News-Press 4-21-12' We want to thank the many friends and family who attended the funeral, sent cards, letters, flowers, and provided for the reception. Santa Barbara Police Chief Cam Sanchez, Sgt. Mike McGrew, the Police Honor Guard and escort to Calvary Cemetery. God Bless you all for your sympathy and kindness to a great Christian gentleman - my husband. Joel, Love you forever - Eloise, children and grandchildren. Original Obituary Joel David Gomez was born September 10, 1931 in Miami, Arizona went to be with his Lord and savior Jesus Christ the morning of February 29. He was the son of Gonzalo Gomez and Minerva Jimenez who predeceased him. He attended Santa Barbara High School class of 1950 where he excelled in Track and Field setting two records, which are still standing. He played tenor saxophone and the clarinet in the school band, marching band, dance band and a member of the musicians union. He was drafted during the Korean conflict and served in the U.S. Army 1952-1954. He worked in the U.S. Postal Service 1955-1988. He was clerk to Tri-counties and Supervisor of Employment and Services. He attended supervisory classes and business class at the University of Oklahoma and Santa Barbara City College. After 7 years of retirement he was called back to work as a contract worker for the U.S. Postal Service western regional office in the Bay Area for 1 ½ years. He was a Reagan republican, well read in politics and history. A quiet gentleman who lived what he taught. At Our Lady of Sorrows prayer group he taught from the bible for many years. Was the longest serving Eucharistic Minister at the altar for over 33 years. He met Eloise Arredondo, the love of his life during Fiestas 1953. He wrote of her “I know a women of strength, beauty and intelligence, she is my Eloise”. His greatest accomplishment was sacrificing to send his wife and each of his four children to college. He is survived by his wife Eloise of 57 years of marriage, his sons Leonard (Erika) of Lompoc, Frank predeceased in 1995, Kenneth of Santa Barbara, and daughter JoEllen Vickers (Greg) of Orlando, Florida, grandchildren David Gomez, Jake Anthony and Trent Vickers, sisters Sara Macias of Carpinteria and Mary Cano (Daniel) of Santa Barbara, predeceased by brother Hugo (Erlinda) and many nieces and nephews. Want to thank Dr. Elizabeth Kim, Dr. Thomas Allyn, Dr. Edward Bentley, Dr. Weber and nurse Judy, Artificial Kidney Dialysis Center. Funeral services will be held at Our Lady of Sorrows Saturday, March 3rd at 10:00 am immediately following a military burial at Calvary Cemetery followed by a reception at the Father Martin Brewer Parish Hall behind the church.