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.
