Margarito J Gomez

MARGARITO J. GOMEZ

1923 - 2017

Obituary

Margarito J. Gomez, 93, passed away on Saturday (May 20, 2017) at the Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice Center of Via Christi Regional Medical Center-St. Francis Campus in Wichita.

He was born Dec. 15, 1923, in Newton, to Antonio and Irene Pedrosa Gomez, the second oldest of ten children.

He started working for the Santa Fe Railroad at the age of 16 and retired with 39 years of service. During that time he was inducted into the U.S. Army Air Force in 1943 and served in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as a construction machine operator on the Lido Road in Berma, India. During his service, he received the following medals: Good Conduct Medal, WWII Victory Medal, two Bronze Stars for Bravery under hazardous conditions, two Bronze Service Stars, AP Theater ribbon, Marksman/Rifleman and Company C 1905th Engineer Aviation Battalion Tech. 5th Grade.

On Sept. 18, 1948, he married Martha Rodriguez of Newton, who survives. He was a longtime member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church and the Francisco Madero Society.

Margarito, or "Maggie" as many knew him, was known for his love of baseball. He played with several area teams and was one of the first Hispanics allowed to play on an organized team. In the early 1940s he was recruited by the St. Louis Cardinals, but due to lack of sponsorship, had to decline their offer. In 1946, he was part of the first Mexican American Fast Pitch team in Newton and was one of the two surviving original players. His ability to hit the "long" ball is remembered by many and still talked about at the annual July 4 Mexican American Fast Pitch Tournament. Although unable to attend the tournament the last few years, he always enjoyed hearing the stories from his grandsons that continued to play and carry on the tradition.

In addition to his wife Martha of the home, he is survived by four children: Irene (Arnold) Cavazos and Steven (Diana) Gomez of Newton, Edwardo (Cheryl) Gomez of Wichita and Teresa (Clifford) Fisher of Valley Center; nine grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and his brother, Ralph Gomez of Hutchinson.

Margarito was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Amelia Gomez, Nancy Oropesa and Julia Pina; and brothers, Ramon, Gregory, John, Lou, and Antonio, Jr.

Margarito was a kind man whose strong faith in God was with him to the end. He loved having his grandchildren and great-grandchildren around, as they always brought a smile to his face. He will be greatly missed by family and friends.

The Recitation of the Holy Rosary will be said at 1 p.m. Wednesday (May 24, 2017) and immediately followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 1:30 p.m., both at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Newton. Interment with military honors will follow at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery.

Friends may call at the funeral home from 1 to 8 p.m. Tuesday (May 23, 2017), where the family will receive friends between 6 and 8 p.m.

A memorial has been established with Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. Contributions may be sent to Broadway Colonial Funeral Home, 120 E. Broadway, Newton, KS 67114.

Condolences may be left at www.broadwaycolonialfh.com

Arrangements are by Broadway Colonial Funeral Home, Newton.