Coach Ruben Gomez

Ruben Gomez, 83, of Ludington, Michigan passed away Tuesday, March 7th, at 7:20 p.m. in Denver Colorado. Ruben was born October 13, 1922 in Questa, New Mexico to Lee and Sophia Gonzales. He grew up in New Mexico, attended high school in Costilla, and graduated from Menaul High School in Albuquerque, New Mexico. In his early years, Ruben worked in Mexico during the Foot and Mouth Disease Eradication Program. He was also a World War II Naval Veteran and received the European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal and the American Campaign Medal, Navy. Ruben graduated from New Mexico State University and continued his life long education by attending Michigan State University, University of Wisconsin, University of Michigan, Central Michigan University and West Shore Community College. He was a member of ALPHA TAU ALPHA, AND PHI THETA KAPPA. Ruben married Rita Zavala in Guadalajara, Mexico on July 9, 1950. Rita preceded Ruben in death. On August 13, 1994 he married Anna Lenora Fisher of Denver, Colorado. Following their marriage, Ruben and Anna made Michigan their summer home and spent winters in Colorado. Ruben started his teaching career in Bison, South Dakota. One year later he accepted a teaching position at Mason County Eastern and Ludington High Schools. In addition to teaching Agriculture, Ruben was a track and cross-country coach for 37 years. He was inducted into the Michigan High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1998 and the Menaul School Hall of Fame in Albuquerque, New Mexico in 2000. Active in the community, Ruben was a member of the Western Michigan Fair Board of Directors for 13 years and was also a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Knights of Columbus. He attended St. Simons in Ludington and for 26 years was an usher at that church. Ruben is survived by his wife, Anna, daughter Dora Saigon, son Dan Gomez, both of Ludington, step-daughters, Darlene Scollon, Tina Thatcher-Burks, and Marie Burks of Denver, Colorado and a stepson Donald Thatcher of Rawlins, Wyoming. Ruben is also survived by three grandchildren, Dion Klass, and Mackenzie and Evan Gomez and two great-granddaughters, all from Ludington. | Colorado services for Ruben Gomez will be held Saturday, March 11, 2006 at 4:30 p.m. at Horan McConaty funeral home, 9998 Grant Street, Thornton, in Denver. Michigan services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday March 17, 2006 at St. Simon's Catholic Church in Ludington. Internment will be at Lakeview Cemetery, in Ludington, Michigan. In-lieu of flowers, Ruben requested that donations be made to the Ludington High School Track and Field and Cross Country Expenses Fund.