Ray Gomez

   As a teacher and public school official for almost 40 years, I've had the opportunity to work with dozens of school boards and literally hundreds of school board members in three communities. I can honestly say that Ray Gomez was one of the best I ever worked for, as a board member of Blanchard Public Schools. He only cared about what he could do for kids - and never complained about teachers, coaches, or even administrators, and always had the greatest praise for all school employees. After Mr. Gomez left the school board, and I would see him around town, he would always say to me "Well, I see you've got 'em after you again... keep your head up, you're doing the right thing", referring to my ability to anger some people. It was the best encouragement I ever received. Ray passed away Friday night... and my eyes are becoming misty as I write this... Ray Gomez was one of the best friends anyone could ever hope for. I've only known Ray for about 10 years, but all those who knew him much longer said that he would do anything for anyone, even those he did not know. Like Will Rogers, Ray never met a man he didn't like, and I never met anyone who didn't like him. In the late 1950's Elvis Presley was asked by a reporter why some people didn't like him - and Elvis replied "I don't know, but even Jesus Christ had some who didn't like him, and they killed him." I'm quite sure there was no one who knew Ray Gomez that didn't like him, and I truly hope that Ray counted me as one of his friends. I pray that he did. I know that Ray, the quiet man he was, is now celebrating loudly and gleefully in heaven, and looking down on us all saying "retirement is great!" Ray never did retire, so now he's getting his much deserved rest. Thank you, Ray Gomez, for being our friend...