1923
Margarito
2017
Margarito Gomez
December 15, 1923 — May 20, 2017
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 December 15, 1923, in Newton, Kansas 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 year 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 September 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 1940’s 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 is 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 missed greatly by family and friends.
The Recitation of the Holy Rosary will be said at 1:00 P.M., Wednesday 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 Tuesday 1:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M., where the family will receive friends between 6 and 8.
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.
Arrangements are by Broadway Colonial Funeral Home, Newton.
He was born December 15, 1923, in Newton, Kansas 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 year 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 September 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 1940’s 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 is 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 missed greatly by family and friends.
The Recitation of the Holy Rosary will be said at 1:00 P.M., Wednesday 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 Tuesday 1:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M., where the family will receive friends between 6 and 8.
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.
Arrangements are by Broadway Colonial Funeral Home, Newton.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Margarito Gomez, please visit our flower store.
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