Lou Gomez, Jr.

Lou (Lucio) Gomez, Jr. was born November 14, 1949 to Lou (Lucio) Gomez, Sr. and Frances Gomez in Newton, Kansas. Lou grew up in a third generation Spanish American family. He graduated from Newton High School, did art work for Hallmark Cards and then worked for Santa Fe Railroad for 27 years.

He married Connye Scott and they had two children: Joselyn Kisha and Christopher Phillip. They lived in Halstead and Wichita.

After eight years of single life he moved back to Newton and taught catechism for youth at Our Lady of Guadalupe.

In May of 2003 he married Elizabeth Ann Raid. He graduated from Hesston College with an associates’ degree in Pastoral Ministry in 2006. After graduation he served seven years as pastor of Calvary Mennonite Church in Liberal, Kansas where he was ordained. There he helped start the Spanish speaking church, Camino de Santidad, with Moises Romero as pastor.

He volunteered and later worked half-time as case manager for Offender Victim Ministries in Newton. In 2013 he and his wife Elizabeth began serving as the pastoral team for South Hutchinson Mennonite Friendship Communities. Lou continued in that ministry until the time of his passing. At Bethel College Mennonite Church, he served on the church board and in various other capacities. He led worship there the Sunday before he suffered a stroke.

Lou passed on October 17 with his loving wife at his side. He leaves behind his wife, Elizabeth, mother Frances, son Christopher, daughter Kisha and husband Eric Slay and grandchildren Hunter, Chase, Ryder and Francesca; siblings Victoria Adame (Frank) and Ventura Porter (Warren) and their families; inherited children Rachel Pankratz (Tim Hallacy), Ronan, Tynan; Lisa Pankratz (Scott Dooley), Katrina, Owen, Miles; Matthew Pankratz (Michelle Roth), Abraham, Leo, Otto, Hugh.

His father, Lou, Sr. passed away April 1, 2014; brother, Gilbert on May 10, 2016.

His gentle, generous and welcoming presence will be missed by many friends and relatives. He leaves us a loving legacy of faith, family and friendship. Lou’s motto he carried out in all aspects of his life is the following: “People do not care how much you know until they know how much you care!” –John C. Maxwell.

Services will be held Friday, October 26 at 11 a.m. at the Bethel College Mennonite Church, North Newton.

Memorials may be given to Offender Victim Ministries, Newton, Kansas or Bethel College Mennonite Church, North Newton, Kansas. Contributions may be sent to Broadway Colonial Funeral Home, 120 E. Broadway, Newton, Ks. 67114.

Arrangements are by Broadway Colonial Funeral Home, Newton.