Dr. Ruben Gomez MD

3 children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him.4Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth. 5Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their opponents in court. Psalm 127:3-5 NIV

DR. RUBEN GOMEZ, M.D. faithful and loving father, devoted and loyal friend, at age 89 has passed to eternal life and is in peaceful rest with his Lord Jesus Christ passing from this life on September 9, 2016 at the comfort of his residence. Those he loved dearly surrounded him!

Born on June 6, 1927 in the beautiful floating gardens of Xochimilco Mexico, in his early 20’s his mother’s death had a profound impact on him. She reminded him that he was an only child and he would be left by himself. He promised her that he would become a doctor, like his father. He kept his promise and when he graduated from Medical School and to his testimony, he had her gravestone engraved to read, “Madre, cumpli mi promesa,” (Mother, I kept my promise).

Ruben graduated from La Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico Medical School where he forged long lasting relationships with his colleagues and his alma mater. One can still hear him yell his porra, “Chi Qui Ti Boon” in every annual celebratory gathering with his friends and colleagues and in every family event!

In 1956 he married the love of his life, Elida Heredia de Gomez with two conditions: we will have many children and we will move to the United States. “Are you in this with me?” Her response was yes, and their life experience began! His medical quest took them to Cleveland Ohio (where he did his medical residency and became Chief of Residents); Cuernavaca and Ciudad Juarez Chihuahua Mexico (where he fulfilled his 7-year commitment to Mexico for his medical education); McAlester Oklahoma (where he was the Surgeon for the Oklahoma State Penitentiary); Wetumka Oklahoma (where he was one of 2 physicians serving the native American population there), Raymondville Texas where he was lured to the warmth of the Rio Grande Valley, Brownsville Texas (where with his doctor friends and colleagues, became one of the founding fathers of then Valley Community Hospital now known as Valley Regional Medical Center and where he opened his Clinic and aside from many operations, he delivered many babies; and Houston Texas (where in his 60’s and with the help of his good dear lifetime friend, Dr. Howard Zigler, he fulfilled his lifetime dream of being an Emergency Trauma Surgeon at the world renown Memorial Hermann –Texas Medical Center with his adrenaline beating at every situation. He would later remark that Houston would be remembered among the best years of his life. He was blessed with the gift of Healing through his knowledge of surgeries and he amassed so many stories that he wrote a memoir, Solo Dios.

Ruben loved to travel and travel throughout the world he did! First with his wife of 44 years, he would set aside the month of October every year and take off to a new country; a new adventure. He passed on the love of travel to his children and after the passing of his wife, he continue traveling the world with them.

Proceeded in death by his parents, Dr. Aurelio Gomez and Dolores Perez de Gomez and his wife Elida Heredia de Gomez, Ruben is survived by his seven children: Ruben (Betty) Gomez Jr. of San Antonio, Elida Gomez of Corpus Christi, Hector (Cynthia) Gomez of Spring, Alejandra Gomez, Ruth (Robert) Gomez Serra, Dolores (Sergio) Zarate, and Rosana Gomez all of Brownsville; his five grandchildren – his firstborn, Rebekah whom he named; Destiny Monique (Michael) who blessed him with his great granddaughter, Penelope Ruth and his great grandson Phoenix Michael, Eduardo his niño and his hero, Zariah Marie, his angel and Ezekiel (Zeke) his little man. He is also survived by his niece, Dr. Elsa Von Schulenburg of Las Vegas and his nephews, Raul Heredia of New Jersey, and Manuel Von Schulenburg of San Antonio. At this time the family would like to recognize his close friend, Jorge Navarro for always being there for him; and to his colleagues who cared for his health throughout the years, Dr. Charles Zavala, Dr. Roberto Robles, and Dr. Caquias;

Last but not least, are his loyal companions that gave him unconditional love no matter what… his dogs Sugar Baby, Loba, and Travis and his calico cat, Second Chance.

Escorting Ruben as his pallbearers will be Ruben Gomez Jr., Hector Gomez, Eduardo Gomez, Sergio Zarate,Robert Serra, Michael Rodriguez, and Jorge Navarro. His honorary pallbearers will be Zariah, Penelope, Ezekiel (Zeke), and Armando Polina.

1 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. 2My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4You know the way to the place where I am going.” John 14:1-4

Visitation will be held on Friday September 16, 2016 from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. with a Rosary at 7:00 p.m. at Funeraria Del Angel Buena Vista. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to “Down by the Border” 15 W. Madison Brownsville, TX 78520 (956) 541-2085, in honor of his granddaughter Zariah Zarate and special needs children like her.

Mass will be held on Saturday September 17, 2016 at St. Luke’s Catholic Church at 11:00 am.

You may view the obituary of Dr. Ruben Gomez at www.MeM.com.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Funeraria Del Angel Buena Vista, cemeteries, and mausoleums. 125 McDavitt Blvd., Brownsville, Texas 78521 (956) 541-5400. Dignity Memorial Provider.