George Ernest Gomez

George Ernest Gomez was called by the Lord to his heavenly home on Tuesday, November 28, 2023. George was born on Friday, April 4, 1947, on Dora Street in Old Town Albuquerque, NM, to Rosalie Gomez. He was a devout Catholic and was a member of Queen of Heaven Catholic Church from 1975-2004 and St. Joseph on the Rio Grande Catholic Church from 2005-2023.

George was raised in Willard, NM, and graduated from Estancia High School in 1965. He took great pride in being a part of the EHS basketball team and he never forgot where he came from. George loved his roots and cherished the people from Willard so much so that he maintained lifelong friendships with many of his classmates and neighbors. In tribute to these friendships, his pallbearers will all be from Willard or Estancia, some of whom have been friends with George from as early as fifth grade.

After high school, George moved to Las Cruces to attend New Mexico State University and graduated in 1973 with a degree in Civil Engineering. He worked for the NM Department of Transportation and Foodway during his time at NMSU, in addition to joining the Army Reserve. He often spoke fondly of the many friends he made at NM State and told many stories of the adventures he had going to college as a young adult including that of a motorcycle that was bought and shared by him and several of his friends.

After moving to Albuquerque in 1973, George worked for McMillan and Associates, Bohannon & Houston, and the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District. He also continued his service in the Army Reserve. In the early 1980s, he went to work for the City of Albuquerque in the Engineering Department and had a successful career in public service, retiring from the city in 1999. Even after retirement he worked several jobs and every job he would interview for, he would be hired on the spot! His last job was working for Smith Engineering and when his wife, Dora, retired in 2007, he retired from work and from 37 years with the Army Reserve.

George met Dora Herrera in 1974 who had just graduated from the University of New Mexico in 1973. They were married on August 2, 1975, and began their lives in a Lobo/Aggie household that generated perennial conversations about which school would have the better teams that particular year! On June 12, 1980, their son, Erik Jayson Gomez, was born, who would later grow up to be a UNM alumni, which meant George was outnumbered 2 to 1 in the household. When Erik was five years old, they started taking him to Lobo basketball games. They have been dedicated season ticket holders since then and have traveled many times to see the Lobos play. As was in George's nature, he made many friends attending the Lobo games and spent much of the time at games socializing and interacting with everyone he had met over the years.

George was a man of faith and virtue who did not need to wear his faith and virtue on his sleeve. He was, instead humble and unassuming. A generous man who never took his success for granted and demonstrated this by helping others. George was always willing to help anyone in need but would be slow to ask anyone for a hand for himself so as not to inconvenience anyone. During his short illness, it was clear that his concern was not for himself, but more for his family whom he cared for and doted over. This was typical George: thinking of others before himself.

George is preceded in death by his mother, Rosalie G. Warcken, and his in-laws, Feliciano and Helen R. Herrera. He is also predeceased by several maternal aunts. George is survived by Dora, his wife of 48 years, of the family home, his son, Erik, of Albuquerque, sister-in-law Norma Herrera (Bert Romero) Mora, NM; Debbie Alexander (Joe) of Cleveland, NM; Dottie Herrera (Brian Gutierrez) of Albuquerque; nieces Felicia Alexander of Houston, TX; Franceska Alexander (Jon Yales) of Albuquerque, NM; and Gabrielle Gutierrez (Chris Flores) of Culver City, CA; nephew Allen Gutierrez of Albuquerque along with extended family and numerous friends.

Family and friends may visit FRENCH - Westside, 9300 Golf Course Road, NW on Friday, December 8, 2023; 6:00 p.m., Rosary will be recited at 7:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, December 9, 2023; 9:00 a.m., Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 619 Copper Avenue NW. Committal Service will be held on Monday, December 11, 2023; 1:00 p.m., Santa Fe National Cemetery, Santa Fe, NM.

Flowers are appreciated, or, alternatively, contributions can be made to his favorite charity, Joy Junction, in remembrance of his life and legacy.