Raymond "Ray" Victor Gomez

Raymond (“Ray”) Victor Gomez, 98, passed away peacefully on Aug. 29, 2025 in Chestertown, Maryland. Ray was born on May 25, 1927 in Brooklyn, NY, to Victor Gomez (of Portugal) and Anna Barker Gomez (of Ireland). The original family name was Gomes but the “s” became a “z” when they arrived at Ellis Island and applied for U.S. citizenship. When Ray was 5 years old, his family moved to Baumstown, PA. After graduating high school, Ray joined the U.S. Navy and served three years as a radar technician. He then attended Penn State University on the GI Bill and earned a B.S. in Electrical Engineering. In 1952, he married Gloria Ann Spatz of Birdsboro, Pa. and accepted a regular commission as a second lieutenant with the U.S. Air Force, in an active-duty career that would span 27 years. He was trained as a nuclear weapons technician, a pilot and navigator, with a focus on locating and evaluating enemy air defense systems. Ray’s service saw him deployed around the world, eventually landing him in Taiwan, where his wife and two young sons, Craig and Keith, joined him. In Taiwan, Ray was embedded with an undisclosed U.S. intelligence agency and conducted covert operations in Vietnam, South Korea, Laos and Thailand. Ray spent the last 12 years of his service with USAF Systems Command at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, where he managed multiple intelligence gathering operations and evaluated various technical research programs. He retired in 1980 with the rank of Colonel. His many prestigious awards included The Air Medal and the USAF Legion of Merit. After his wife of 61 years, Gloria, passed away in 2012, Ray moved to the Heron Point of Chestertown retirement community. He was remarried to Pat Kobes of Rapid City, S.D., until her death in 2022. His last years were spent with his devoted companion and fellow Heron Point resident, Pat Moser, by his side. Ray was preceded in death by his parents; his older brother Frank Gomez; his oldest son Craig Gomez; and his second wife, Pat Kobes. He is survived by his son Keith Gomez (Priscilla) of Jacksonville, Fla; his granddaughters Marisa Allen (Nicholas) of Arlington, Va., and Carina Salinas (Christian) of Brooklyn, NY; and great-grandchildren Lucas and Olivia Allen. Ray will be deeply missed but forever known for his zest for living life to the fullest and his devotion to God, family and country. In the face of adversity, Ray will be remembered for his favorite motto: “Illegitimi Non Carborundum,” and that’s the doctrine he lived by through his final days. Sunday, Sept 14 Fellows, Helfenbein & Newnam Funeral Home 130 Speer Rd, Chestertown, MD 21620 (410) 778-0055 Visitation 2PM to 4PM Monday, Sept 15 St. Andrew by the Bay 701 College Pkwy, Annapolis, MD 21409 (410) 974-4366 (Martha organizer) Church service 11AM Monday, Sept 15 Maryland Veterans Cemetery Crownsville 1122 Sunrise Beach Rd, Crownsville, MD 21032 Military service 1PM Monday, Sept 15 O’Loughlin’s Restaurant 1258 Bay Dale Dr., Arnold, MD 21012 (410) 349-0200 Event Host: Rachel – Gomez reservation (Buffett & bar paid for by Gomez family) Post service reception 12 Noon to 3:30PM In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Tunnels to Towers at T2T.org. The family also extends heartfelt Thanks to the entire staff at Heron Point for their compassionate care and emotional support through Ray’s final battle.

Raymond "Ray" Victor Gomez

May 25, 1927 - August 29, 2025