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Adalberto Al Gomez, Sr, retired from this life on July 11th, 2015 to join his lovely wife, Olga, in heaven. Mr. Gomez was born in San Benito, Texas to Jose Gomez and Elisa Camero on April 23, 1929. He grew up in Brownsville and Corpus Christi, where he joined the Army in 1949 and was assigned to the 323rd and later the 4th Army Band at Ft. Sam Houston. Joining the trombone section at Ft. Sam, the young soldier and his friends frequented USO dances in San Antonio. On one blind date, he met a raven-haired beauty named Olga Monita. Smitten, he married Olga at San Fernando Cathedral on September 16th, 1951. Daughters Linda and Madalyn arrived before Al was transferred to Ft. Chafee, Arkansas, where son Al Jr. was born. Daughter Alice was born during a tour of duty at Ft. Richardson, Alaska before Al returned to Ft. Sam to finish twenty years in the Army. Al had a successful musical career in the Army, playing trombone and eventually becoming Chief Arranger for the 5th Army Band. During this time, he also had a popular big band dance band on the side, playing dances at the NCO and Officers Clubs on area military bases. At the height of the mambo craze, Mrs. Gomez even sewed calypso shirts for the band's musicians, and the bright satin shirts added a tropical flavor which was especially popular in Alaska. While there, The Al Gomez Band backed many touring groups, including popular recording artists such as the Ink Spots. After retiring from the Army at Ft. Sam Houston in 1968, Al went back to school at San Antonio College, earning an Associate of Arts Degree in Music. He also took volunteered for the Edison High School Band by arranging popular tunes for the band to play at concerts or parades. Al continued his studies at Our Lady of the Lake College and earned a Bachelor of Music Education degree in 1975, promptly started his second career as a music educator in the Harlandale and San Antonio Independent School Districts, teaching mostly middle school band and elementary music, but also sometimes PE, Spanish, and Theater Arts. Throughout his Army and teaching careers, he kept his dance band going, mentoring and training many young musicians, and eventually bringing his children into the band. When young Alice learned drums, Al taught Olga how to play bass. The Al Gomez Family Band played many events and venues, including a stint at Hemisfair Plaza in the early 70s. After Al retired from teaching, he was a substitute teacher in the SAISD. He enjoyed dabbling in numerology, playing bingo and lottery scratch-offs, and eating at Panchito's Restaurant every day. He played trombone with the Community Band and the Lamplighters. He resurrected The Al Gomez Band and started a third career nearly full-time, playing for weddings and private parties and at the Mercado during Fiesta Week for many years. He also presented monthly ballroom dances at Hermann Sons Ballroom for several years. Health issues led to a retirement of sorts in 2012, but his band played a few more times at Homewood now Brookdale Assisted Living when he and Olga moved there. The Gomez Family wishes to express many thanks to Linda's TLC Personal Care Home, where he was able to live with Olga during her final months. The family also expresses deep appreciation and gratitude to all the staff at Morningside Manor, Unit 6 for their kind and caring professional attention to Mr. Gomez in his final weeks. Finally, heartfelt thanks to Christus Hospice, especially Ellen Kohn, RN, for the special care provided to Mr. Gomez and his family. Sgt. Adalberto Gomez was preceded in death by his wife of sixty-three and a half years, Mrs. Olga Monita Gomez, his parents Jose Gomez and Elisa Camero, his sister Sostenes Susie Gomez and Romulo, and his brother Juan Gomez. He is survived by his children Linda and Michael Richter, Madalyn and Dr. Michael Blanchett, Al Jr. and Jeanette Gomez, and Alice Gomez; and his grandchildren Adriel and Isabella Gomez, Nicole Blanchett and Joe Struble and his great grandson, Nathan Struble, a niece, many nephews, friends, students, musicians and band fans. Donations in memory of Sgt. Adalberto Gomez can be made to Project Mend 5727 W. Ih 10, 78208 or the Alzheimer's Association, San Antonio and South Texas Chapter, 7400 Louis Pasteur Dr. #200, 78229-4542, or Christus VNA Hospice, 4241 Woodcock Dr., Suite A-100, 78228. Visitation 6:00pm, Tuesday July 21st at Mission Park North followed by Rosary at 6:30 and a reception immediately afterwards. Funeral Mass Wednesday, July 22nd at 10:00am St. Mary Magdalen Roman Catholic Church 1710 Clower, San Antonio TX 78201 followed by Procession to Ft. Sam Houston Cemetery

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Adalberto Gomez, Sr.

April 23, 1929 - July 11, 2015