Tomas Jorge Armando Gomez

MADISON- Tomás Jorge Armando Gómez, a retired educator, passed away on Friday, Sept. 21, 2012, surrounded by his loving family (and cats). He was born on April 22, 1949, in San Luis Potosi, SLP, Mexico, the son of the late Rafael Gómez Salinas and Rosa Jo Springeman. Tomás served in the U.S. Marines from 1967 until 1970 during the Vietnam War. Following his years in the military, he graduated from the University of Texas at Austin and the University of Wisconsin Whitewater. In 1977, Tomas married Ruth “Sue” Eckert. In addition to his loving wife of 35 years, Sue, he is survived by his daughter, Victoria (Charles)Danira Solis; four grandchildren, Oscar and Jacob Garza and Domonique and Damaris Solis; great-grandchild, Tiffany Garza; mother, Rosa Jo Springeman; ; brother, Rafael (Nataly) Gómez and his daughter, Ilona Gómez; brother, Benjamín (Karen) Gómez and his children, Jenny (Chad) Schroedl and their children, Preston and Jayden, and Joan (Jake) Donnellan and their children, Lilly and Orion; and brother-in-law, William (Patricia) Eckert and their son, Michael (Jennifer) Eckert and their children, Andrea and Mason Eckert, and their son, Douglas (Jolene) Eckert and their children, Nathan and Matthew, and their daughter, Elizabeth Eckert. Funeral services will be held at HOLY CROSS LUTHERAN CHURCH, 2670 Milwaukee St., Madison, at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 29, 2012, with the Rev. Bernt Tweit presiding. A reception will follow. A private family burial will be held at the Norwegian Lutheran Cemetery in Oconomowoc. Visitation will be held at the church from 1 p.m. until the time of service on Saturday. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Holy Cross church or Agrace HospiceCare. Tomás will be remembered for his strength and faith which influenced his ministry to all. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Holy Cross church or Agrace HospiceCare. Visitation will be held at the church from 1 p.m. until the time of service on Saturday. Funeral services will be held at HOLY CROSS LUTHERAN CHURCH, 2670 Milwaukee St., Madison, at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 29, 2012, with the Rev. Bernt Tweit presiding. A reception will follow.