Don Russell Gomez
August 11, 2010
Don Russell Gomez, 69, passed away on Wednesday, August 11, 2010 at Mercy Hospice in Johnston after a courageous battle with Esophageal Cancer. His loving family was at his side.
Don was born in Gretna, Louisiana. He attended St. Joseph’s Catholic School, Jesuit High School and the University of Southwestern Louisiana. He proudly served his country in the United States Air Force and was a retired Major. Don relocated to Grimes, Iowa after hurricane Katrina in 2005.
Don enjoyed family time, which included great meals and activities with his grandchildren and friends. His hobbies were photography, fishing and boating. He was an avid movie collector and grew up loving cowboy stars like Roy Rogers, Gene Autry, Lash LaRue and John Wayne. Don was a life long New Orleans Saints fan who was thrilled when they won the 2010 Super Bowl.
Don is survived by Sandra, his wife of 47 years; two sons, Troy, his wife Lisa and two beloved grandchildren, Robert and Rebecca; Todd and his wife Dawn; a sister and many other relatives and friends.
There will be a visitation for Don from 2:30 to 5:30 pm, Sunday, August 15 at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway, West Des Moines. Following the visitation, a prayer service will be held at 5:30pm. Burial with full military honors will take place at 12:30 pm, Monday, August 16 at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery in Van Meter.
Those wishing to make memorial contributions to the National Cancer Institute for Esophageal Cancer research may do so by going to www.cancer.gov. Online condolences may be made at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.
Diana Domingue-Delcambre
08/24/2010
We wish to extend our sincere sympathy to Sandra and her family over the loss of her husband Don. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Bruce and Robyn Erbeck
08/17/2010
We are so very sorry for your loss; yet we know that Don is in a much better place. How fortunate we are to have known Don, he was such a dear and good man. Knowing the family as we do, we have seen what a blessing he has been over the years and his memory will continue to bless. It's a comfort knowing he is with our Heavenly Father.
We will continue to remember the immediate family, especially Sandra, in our prayers with thoughts always.
Blessings and love,
Bruce and Robyn
District Governor Boyd A. Sparks
08/17/2010
As District Governor of the Lions Clubs in 9-MC I offer my heart felt Sympathy to the Don Gomez Family. I never got to meet Don but I know people who knew him well and the reports were excellant. Don will be missed in the Lions Family!
God Bless,
Boyd A. Sparks DG 9-MC
Sevilla White Finley
08/17/2010
Many of us from Gretna were saddened to read of
Don's passing. Please pass my condolences on
to family members.
Joyce Ann Benoit
08/16/2010
Don and I grew up together in Gretna and attended St. Joseph School together.
I was very surprised and saddened to hear of his passing.
God in his wisdom knew it was time for him to come home.
May the memories of all the good times you shared strengthen you during this
time of sorrow
T K Williams
08/15/2010
I am so glad to have known Don. His willingness to get involved and get things done was inspiring. For a southern man to make it to 6:30 am meetings during one of Iowa's worst winters was amazing. I remember clearly the fun we had together in the convertible last 4th of July. He was a peach of a guy. I miss him and bet you do to. I am out of town all weekend for continuing education and can't be there, but wanted to express my sympathy and let you know that I often pray for you all and believe I will see him later. T K Wiiliams
Betty Gomez Dugas & Elanie Gomez Bartolo & Familie
08/15/2010
Our prayers and sympathy are with you on the lose of your love one.
Glenn Orgeron
08/15/2010
Sandra,
It was with great sorrow that I saw Don's Death Notice is yesterday's Times Picayune. It's been about 34 years since I moved into 452 Brookmeade Drive and met you, Don, and the boys. I have always treasured the friendship we made during those brief years I was there. Kim and I spoke very fondly of the Gomez family. Occasionally, I have passed in front of our old house and wondered whether you guys had left after Katrina. I see from Don's obituary, the family relocated to Iowa after Katrina.
The pressures of military life ultimately resulted in Kim and me divorcing in 1988. I remarried and now Nancy (my wife) and I have a 20 year-old daughter who is a junior in college. Kim and I had a son, Chris, who is now about to turn 30. Unfortunately, Kim passed away in 2004--also from cancer. Although we had divorced, we remained friends through the years; that worked out well for Chris.
I retired from the Marines in 1990 and returned to New Orleans; ever since, I've been in private practice in a law firm downtown.
Again, please accept my sincere sympathies on Don's passing.
Glenn Orgeron
Veronica McNamara
08/14/2010
My deepest sympathy to you, Troy and Sandra. The Aucoins provided me this notice. I was a classmate at St. Joseph in Gretna and a neighbor. Although I haven't seen Don in many, many years, his smile and his spirit have stayed with me. God bless his soul - he is now healed.
Paul Vogt
08/14/2010
Family-
My thoughts and prayers are with you as I learned of Don's passing this morning.
Although somewhat faded and spotty, it initiated a remembrance of Don through the Jesuit years.
Stay strong.
Paul Vogt --NOLA
Ronnie Harris, Mayor, City of Gretna
08/13/2010
Our city will miss Don as a long time businessman and familiar face in Downtown Gretna. I remember him on his daily visits to the Post Office with a smile and a friendly hello to all that knew him. Additionally, he came from a family with a long history of dedication to our commmunity. Being a member of the Gretna Historical Society was just a small indication of his love for the history and people of our community. His admiration of Hollywood movie cowboy heros, Lash LaRue was above all because they both were from Gretna.
I wish to extend my personal sympathy to Don's family for their loss and offer our community's sorrow on the passing of a true friend.
Phyllis & Carol
08/13/2010
Sandy, we will keep you in our prayers as you adjust to your loss. Sorry you have to deal with this. God Bless you. Cathy Guhl's Oklahoma friends and domino partners. Love, Phyllis & Carol
Chrissi
08/14/2010
I was so saddened to see Don's obituary in the paper! I'm a paramedic who took care of him one night he was having difficulties...
I hope you find God's peace in his passing.
Laura Richards, Jana Smith, & Kyan Smith-Richards
08/12/2010
Nanny & Family-
You are all in our thoughts and prayers. We love you all very much. I will always cherish the memories of our trips to Gretna and we all cherish the time we had this summer.
Carolyn Charles Madere
08/13/2010
In the words of Mary Magdalene, "I know that my Redeemer lives."
Therein lies our solace and hope, and I know that Don is in the loving arms of our savior.
I appreciate the notification as I also appreciate the memories of Don from those wonderful
(young) days in Gretna.
My Mass Sunday will be for Don and you, his family.
Carolyn