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Raul Felipe Gomez, age 82, peacefully passed on to the Lord on September 13, 2010. Born in Gallup, New Mexico on May 26, 1928, he is survived by his son, Fernando, and daughter-in-law, Sylvia; his daughter, Cecilia Warden, and son-in-law, Bill; his son David, and daughter-in-law, "Susanna" (Esma); his son, Raul, Jr., and daughter-in-law, Sandy; his daughter, Margaret Colbert; and his daughter, Maria Gomez Leinheiser. He is also survived by 14 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his loving wife of 61 years, Amanda, who died on February 5, 2008. Raul was a member of Gallup High School's state championship team in 1944 and went on to earn All State honors in 1947, receiving scholarship offers from New Mexico State University, Iowa State University and several other universities. He married Amanda that same year and started his family; he and she moved to Albuquerque in 1955. He joined the Albuquerque Fire Department in 1960, becoming active in the firefighters quest for parity in pay with their colleagues on the police force. He and other firefighters struggled to form a union to advance and protect the rights of a group of courageous public servants that, at the time, were not as broadly appreciated as they are today. He rose to the position of lieutenant before his retirement in 1983. Raul was a very well read man with diverse interests and never missed the opportunity to discuss politics, current events, sports (he was a lifelong Notre Dame fan), or any other topic. He valued education and encouraged his children to excel in school. He loved to recount family history as well as his experiences growing up in Gallup. He enjoyed travel, meeting new people and experiencing new surroundings. He was a man of great humor and wisdom, often resorting to dichos (proverbs) and metaphors to make his point. He reveled in making people laugh, even if it meant telling the same corny jokes repeatedly. He loved his children madly and enjoyed being around his grandchildren and great grandchildren. His children thank him, not only for giving them life and teaching them to live good and honorable lives, but also for his final lessonteaching them how to face death. He will be greatly missed by countless friends and family
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