Juan C. Gomez, Jr., of Aztec, N.M., passed away at his home on Monday, Dec. 29, 2008, after a short bout with cancer. He was born February 5, 1924, to Juan C. Gomez and Agapita Gomez, in Dulce, N.M. He is preceded in death by his parents, wife Lila P. Gomez, son Juan C. Gomez III, brother Celso Gomez and sister Delfinita Chavez.

Survivors include children, Sister Sara Marie Gomez, OSU of Aztec, Louie (Diane) Gomez of Gobernador, Melesia (Ron) Atchley of Bloomfield and Bart (Dianne) Gomez of Covington, La., daughter-in-law Carla Gomez; siblings, Gregorita Jacquez of Aztec, Matilda Martinez of Sacramento, Calif., Agapita Abeyta of Los Ojos, N.M., Molly Jacques of Albuquerque, Jose Gomez of Aztec, Ruby (Buster) Jacquez of Aztec, Genevieve Candelaria of Blanco, Beatrice (BA) Rodriquez of Albuquerque, brother-in-law Flavio Chavez of Aztec; grandchildren, Feliz (Lee) Hillman of Denver, Ronnie Atchley of Bloomfield, Juan Cristobal Gomez, IV of Santa Fe, Roque (Kerstin) Gomez of El Paso, Texas, Carlos (Ginny) Atchley of Bloomfield, Sarah Gomez of Farmington, Marquita Atchley of Farmington, Mandy (Jason) Hano of Covington, La., and Ross Gomez of Covington; great-grandchildren, Kaden Terrrazas, Niclas Bretz, Hailee Atchley; numerous nieces, nephews, primos and primas.

He retired from Northwest Pipeline Company in 1984 in Gobernador, N.M., and then made his home in Aztec. He enjoyed retirement by spending time with friends and family, while still tending to his family-owned ranch in Gobernador. He will dearly be missed by all and will always be remembered as a kind, generous, dedicated, religious family man. His deep faith in God, his rosary, and his prayers were his daily sustaining strength.

Pallbearers are Mike Padilla Sr., Ronnie Atchley, Cristobal Gomez, Roque Gomez, Carlos Atchley, Ross Gomez, Lee Hillman and Jason Hano.

Honorary pallbearers are Jim Fines, Emmitt Beevers and all his nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to St. Vincent de Paul Society Fund, 424 N. Mesa Verde, Aztec, or San Juan Cancer Center, 731 West Animas Street, Farmington.