Ray

Gomez

Raymond Gomez was born on July 9, 1939 in Apache, Oklahoma and departed this life on February 2, 2018 in Oklahoma City, at the age of 78.

Ray was the son of Ramon and Lila (Galindo) Gomez. He graduated from Anadarko High School in 1957. Ray married his high school sweetheart, Barbara Jean Davis in the fall of 1957. Together they had three children: Bruce Dane, Tammy Dawn, and Leslie Ray. They lived in Oklahoma City until 1976 at which time, they moved to Blanchard, Oklahoma. Ray served in the 45 ^th Infantry Division of the Army National Guard from 1961 to 1967. He was a Mess Sergeant and later a Recon Sergeant. Ray worked for Hydro Conduit from 1961 to 1967 and later in 1967, he became an Oklahoma City Firefighter. He thoroughly enjoyed being a firefighter. Ray was a successful businessman and established Royal Enterprises, his swimming pool company, which he operated from 1982 to the present.

He married Kathryn Marie Gatlin on March 7, 2000, and became a stepdad to her children: David Allen, Kevin Mark, and Lisa Michele. Together, Ray and Kathryn developed Songbird Estates in Blanchard and were involved in home building for a number of years. Ray was very active in the Pleasant Hill Baptist church during his years in Blanchard. He was a deacon, song leader, and was a leader of the senior adult program. He also served on the Blanchard School Board for five years. Throughout his life, Ray coached hundreds of kids, both boys and girls, in all sports.

Ray loved and was dedicated to his family and was supportive in all their endeavors. He was very proud of his children as well as his stepchildren. He was known for his intelligence, his faith, and his concern for others. He was always helping his neighbors, family, and friends. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. On the lighter side, he was known for "Famous Ray's Enchiladas," which were well-known throughout the Blanchard community.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and his first wife, Barbara Gomez.

Ray is survived by his wife, Kathryn Gomez of the home; three children, Bruce Gomez and wife, Barbie, Tammy Gomez, and Leslie Gomez and wife, Diana, all of Blanchard; six grandchildren, Micha Rader, Nichole Reeves, Charles Gomez, Justin Gomez, Kellby Taylor, and Brandon Gomez; seven great grandchildren; three stepchildren, David Gatlin and wife, Patti, of Meeker, Kevin Gatlin of Choctaw, and Lisa Guttery and husband, Ernie, of Moore; six step grandchildren, Amber Brown, Bailee Brown, Alisha Myers, Blake Murray, Ashley Dockery, and Darrell Guttery; ten step great grandchildren; two sisters, Virginia Bryant and husband, Jay, of Anadarko, and Vicki Thomas of Oklahoma City; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Helen and Layton Pinkston of Shawnee, Carolyn and Jerry Woody of Meeker, Glenna Sue Bowen of McLoud, Nell Bowen of Harrah, Lola Bowen of Vancouver, Washington, Larry and Lorna Bowen of Shawnee, and Carl Miller of Shawnee; and many other loved ones and friends.

Funeral service will be held at 10:00 AM, Thursday, February 8, 2018, at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in Blanchard. Burial will be at 2:30 PM in Fairview Cemetery in Apache. Memorial donations may be made in Ray's name to Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, 3308 East Veterans Memorial Highway, Blanchard, OK 73010. Arrangements are under the direction of Eisenhour Funeral Home of Blanchard. Online obituary and guestbook are available at www.eisenhourfh.com.