2020/07/obit-Waldo-A-Gomez-187x300.gifLifelong resident of Pagosa Springs, Colo., Waldo Gomez, 68, left us to be with the Lord on June 11. He was born Uvaldo Arcenio Ribera to Juan Mauricio and Maxine Ribera on Sept. 30, 1951, in Durango, Colo. Due to family circumstances, his parents allowed him to be raised by Mike and Edalia Gomez from a toddler and later adopted by Edalia at age 12.
In 1977, Waldo married Elizabeth Lucas and they had two children: Elizabeth and Shonna. Then in 1983, he married Maxine Albo-Lujan and they had three children: Virgil, Michael and Leanne.
Waldo loved music. He loved to dance and sing. He tinkered with many instruments, but he loved to play the guitar. He was very artistic and creative. He was a builder/carpenter for most of his life. He helped build a lot of buildings and houses in and around Pagosa Springs and Durango, most recently Pagosa Springs’ new high school. His last job was at the Spring Inn until he could no longer work due to health issues. Many have mentioned they will miss seeing him in the grocery store, walking around town or riding his bike. He loved Pagosa Springs. He loved nature and the mountains he grew up in. Most of all, he loved his family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his family members: Mauricio Ribera, Mike Gomez, Edalia Gomez, infant older sister Maria Anna Ribera, nephew Gabriel Ribera and former wife Maxine Albo-Lujan.
Waldo is survived by his mother, Maxine Ribera; all three daughters and two sons; 14 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; brothers Mauricio, Dan, Patrick, Chris and Val Ribera; sisters Maxine Sena, Ramona Perue, Irene, Arabella and Josephine Ribera; step-siblings: Teresa Melendez, Ramona Rogers and Jose Echavarria; and numerous nieces and nephews, all of whom he loved dearly.
A memorial Mass was held on June 16 at John Paul II Catholic Church. Graveside services will be held at Hilltop Cemetery at a later date to be announced.
