( The Pagosa Springs Sun November 4, 1976) J. Feliz Gomez , a leading resident of Archuleta County died in his home at Pagosa Junction on October 30th from an apparent heart attack. Mr. Gomez was born in Dulce, New Mexico on May 13, 1892, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Jose Eugenio Gomez, pioneers who arrived in the area 100 years ago. After his graduation in 1912 from St. Michael's High School in Santa Fe, Mr. Gomez came to Pagosa Junction to manage a general mercantile family business which eventually became his and remained in continuous operation until 1971. In addition to his involvement in the general merchandize business, J. Felix was a longtime rancher specializing in range sheep. He sold his stock herd in 1966 and since has lived in semiretirement in Pagosa Junction with his wife Ophelia. He retained substantial rangeland holdings in Archuleta County and Rio Arriba County New Mexico. Felix Gomez was an active leader and participant in numerous community and county civic and political activities. As a one-time school board official, member of the Selective Service Board, Postmaster, candidate for Colorado House of Representatives and County Democratic Party Representative, he leave a legacy of active citizenry. He is listed in the Historical encyclopedia of Colorado. When Felix first arrifved, Pagosa Junction was a thriving lumber, ranching and railroad community. In the intervening years, Pagosa Junction, like many similar communities throughout the country, ceased to exist as a town and became a virtual ghost town. Mr. Gomez remained behind involved with his businesses. Since his retirement, Mr. Gomez has devoted his energies toward preserving the original store which holds many of the quaint collections, antiques and artifacts from the peak Pagosa Junction days. The old store has attracted considerable regional attention in recent years and has been featured in numerous publications including the Sunday Empire magazine. it also focused much attention on Mr. and Mrs. Gomez who continued a life reminiscent of years gone by. Beside Aphelia, his wife since 1923, Mr. Gomez is survived by three daughters and one son; Ophilia Downey from Albuquerque, Maria Abeyta residing in Westminister, California; Liliosa Padilla from Aztec, New Mexico and Colonel Jose Felix Gomez, now serving in the Republic of Panama with the U. S. Air Force. Other survivors include two brothers; J. Lino Gomez from Lumberton, New Mexico and J. Eugention Gomez from Dulce and two sisters, Francesquita Cordova and Ruby Archuleta, both long time Pagosa Springs residents. Also surviving are fifteen grand children. Mr. Gomez was intered in the original Pagosa Junction cemetery Tuesday, November, 2nd following a field mass of the Ressurrection held on the grounds of the San Juan Bautista church overlooking Mr. Gomez' store and home. Approximately 500 relatives friends and neighbors were present to pay their final respects.