Great-grandfather, U.S. Marine, sports fan, family man

Rudy S. Gomez died August 1 at the age of 70. Rudy was born December 28, 1950 into a large extended family, the original members of which had come to Claremont in the early 20th century and settled in the tight knit community of Arbol Verde. Rudy’s wife, Irma Hermasillo Gomez, remembers meeting her husband when they were six or seven years old. Of course, they didn’t know their future yet.

In his younger years he participated in numerous community activities. He spent time at the teen post and helped with local fundraisers.

He graduated from Montclair High School in 1969 and joined the U.S. Marines, serving in Vietnam before being demobilized in 1971 with the rank of lance corporal. He then attended Chaffey College, where he earned his AA degree.

He worked for the city of Montclair for 35 years, working his way up to senior building inspector. Even though he formally retired at 55, he kept his hand in the business, watching with interest as the “green revolution” began to affect the building industry.

One of his passions was baseball. For many years he played on a fast-pitch softball team. He was also a major contributor to the chapter on Claremont in the 2012 book “Mexican American Baseball in the Inland Empire.” His daughter, Jacqueline, remembers he was such a huge Dodger fan that he cried when they won the World Series in 2020. He also loved USC football, the Lakers and Raiders. He even traveled to Oakland to see Raider games when the team moved from Los Angeles in 1994.

Another passion was camping and fishing in the high Sierra. He and Irma also took many trips in their motor home, including visits with far flung relatives from both the Gomez and Hermasillo sides of the family.

He was a dedicated family man. He and his wife were married 41 years.

He leaves his wife Irma; children Robert and Jacqueline Armenta, and Jennifer and Steven Gomez; two daughters-in-law; five grandchildren; five great- grandchildren; and his beloved dog, Piper.

“Rudy was known as a caring person,” his family shared. “He went out of his way to help other people and support them. His oldest son Robert remembers turning to him often for advice as he advanced in his Navy career. Rudy leaves many friends who will miss him.”

A funeral was held at Todd Memorial Chapel in Claremont on Thursday, August 12, followed by interment at Oak Park Cemetery.

A celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, August 13, at Calvary Chapel, 4201 Eucalyptus Ave., Chino Hills, 91710. It will be livestreamed at https://livestream.com/ccch/memorialservice.

A 1 p.m. reception will follow at Bethany Baptist Church, 9950 Monte Vista Ave., Montclair, 91763.

The family asks that remembrances in Mr. Gomez’s name be made to the Wounded Warrior Project at https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org.