GAMEZ CEMETERY, CASCABEL, AZ COCHISE COUNTY, ARIZONA - ===================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by TESS GAMEZ March 18, 2001 ======================================================================= The Gamez Cemetery is located on private property at Cascabel, AZ in Cochise Co., on top of a hill overlooking the San Pedro River Valley. There is a large white cross at the top of the cemetery overlooking the graves below. We have been unable to determine in what year this cemetery was established. If there is anyone out there whose ancestors may be buried in one of the 29 unmarked rock graves, please contact me. Due to the failing health and subsequent death of my husband's father in 1995, my husband, David Valdez Gamez and I have been maintaining this cemetery over the past several years. We have removed the weeds from the 29 unmarked rock graves and my husband has made and placed redwood crosses on each of them. GAMEZ - "CASCABEL'S ONLY PIONEER FAMILY" The land on which this cemetery is located was previously owned by Hope Jones, owner of the C-Spear Ranch in Cascabel and given to Ramon Diaz Gamez who retired from the C-Spear after more than 40 years of loyal service by Ramon and his family to Hope and the operation of the C-Spear Ranch. After Ramon's retirement, his son, Frank would move his family onto the C-Spear where he, along with the cowboy expertise of his brother, Fred and under the close scrutiny of their father, they would continue the daily operation of the ranch until Frank's death in 1979. Fred would continue working as a cowboy on the C-Spear for a few more years after the death of his brother. Ramon Diaz Gamez was born on the west side of the San Pedro River at Pool (Cascabel), AZ Territory on August 7, 1906, the 5th child & 3rd son of Miguel Lopez Gamez & Maria Rivera Diaz. He was the paternal grandson of Juannrre Gamez & Euphemia Trias Lopez and the maternal grandson of Jorge Diaz & Florencia Rivera. When Ramon was about eight years old, Miguel & Maria would move their family to the east side of the San Pedro River where Miguel & Maria would continue ranching/farming and raising their nine children and Ramon would attend the Soza School. On December 19, 1928, Ramon married Manuela Ronquillo Valdez, who was born, November 23, 1908, a few miles north on the San Pedro River at Redington, the 7th and youngest child of another pioneer family, Blas M. Valdez & Juana Bonillas Ronquillo and the granddaughter of Jesus Ruiz Ronquillo & Placida Leon Bonillas. About 1934-1935 Ramon would make the adobe bricks and build the little adobe house with the tin roof in which he and Manuela would raise their family of twelve children and remain until their deaths. In death, from top of the hill, Ramon & Manuela continue to keep watch over their beloved San Pedro River Valley where the wildflowers mingle amidst the saguaros, mesquites, cottonwoods, the C-Spear cattle in the fields and where once in a while, a cowboy or two may still wander by..... The property, including the little adobe house with the tin roof, is still owned by their sons. Gamez - Within Fenced Area - West to East: NAME BORN - DIED INSCRIPTIONS / NOTES ---------------------------- ---------------------------- -------------------------------------------- Federico "Freddie" Valdez Gamez 2/28/1946 6/28/2002 MARIA DIAZ GAMEZ 1882 - 1919 FRANCISCA GAMEZ ARAIZA 1901 - 1927 Beloved Mother MIGUEL LOPEZ GAMEZ 1867 - 1932 RAFAEL DIAZ GAMEZ 7/10/1915 - 1/26/2000 ARTEMISA VALDEZ GAMEZ 2/11/1934 - 1936 died of diphtheria ARMIDA VALDEZ GAMEZ 12/01/1935 - 1936 died of diphtheria MARIA A. VALDEZ GAMEZ 8/15/1932 - 4/23/1999 MANUELA VALDEZ GAMEZ 11/23/1908 - 06/03/1978 Beloved Wife & Mother RAMON DIAZ GAMEZ 08/07/1906 - 08/25/1995 Beloved Husband, Father & Tata FRANCISCO VALDEZ GAMEZ 09/09/1942 - 08/23/1979 11. In Loving Memory SON "NITA" ROBERTO RAMON MARTINEZ GAMEZ JUANITA JEAN MARTINEZ GAMEZ April 3, 1997 - April 3, 1997 June 9, 1971 - Jan. 6, 2000 CECIL ARLEY TEAGUE, Jr. Sept 5, 1924 - Dec 6, 1987 Tech 4 US ARMY WWII This gentleman is no relation of the Gamez Family but was a long time resident of Cascabel and a neighbor. Grave is located within it's own fence - east side. JESUS RONQUILLO SALAS 08/13/1907 - 1916 This is a rock grave - north of the Gamez fenced area on the west side. This young boy, who died of influenza, was the son of Juan & Dolores Ronquillo Salas and the 1st cousin of Manuela Valdez Gamez.