Ector Co. TX - Obits from the Odessa American Online November 25, 2001 Submitted by Charlene Beatty Beauchamp cbodessa@classicnet.net Thanks to the Odessa American Online http://www.oaoa.com/ ************************************************************************ USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net/ *********************************************************************** OA Online Obituaries. Permian Basin Obituaries Copyright © 2000, 2001 Odessa American. All rights reserved ============================================================================================ November 25, 2001 Permian Basin Obituaries Obituaries Index Raymond C. Gomez ODESSA - Raymond C. Gomez, 34, of Odessa, died Friday, November 23, 2001, in Denton. Rosary will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, November 26, 2001, at Sunset Memorial Chapel. Services are scheduled for 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, November 27, 2001, also at Sunset Memorial Chapel, with Father Mark Woodruff of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church officiating. Pallbearers will be Bobby Taboada, Defino Mancha, Isaac Gomez, Fidel Martinez, Saul Garcia, Luis Orona, Jersain Venzor, and Eddie Gomez. Raymond was born on March 4, 1966, in Odessa. He was the son of Rosa Madrid and Francisco Gomez and stepson to Jesus Madrid. He was a lifetime resident of Odessa. Raymond worked for many years but finally found his calling of being a barber in 1997. He worked at Saul's Barbershop. Saul Garcia was a large part of Raymond finding happiness in this profession. He was not only a role model, but also a friend. Survivors include his son and daughter, Jonathan Pena Gomez and Brittany Pena Gomez of Odessa; his life-long companion, Scott Taboada of Odessa; mother, Rosa Madrid; brothers, Eddie, Issac, Abel, and Junior Gomez, all of Decatur; sister, Monica Jacinto of Denton; and a great many friends. In life we know that our time is limited. We knew that Raymond's time was going to be a bit shorter than most, but we never expected for God to take him so soon. We must believe that God does things for a purpose. We may not understand that purpose but we must have faith in God. Raymond was a dedicated father and friend and he will be greatly missed by all! Memorials may be sent to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church. Services are entrusted to Sunset Memorial Funeral Home. Mary Ruth Schmidt ODESSA - Mary Ruth Schmidt of Odessa died Friday, November 23, 2001, after a long and valiant battle with lymphoma and its complications. She was born in Jonesboro on February 2, 1933, to Raymond and Ruth Jeffries. Early in life she united with the Methodist Church, and during her years in Pecos she was actively involved in the activities of the First United Methodist Church. Her schooling was in Jonesboro and Gatesville, and she graduated from Sul Ross University. During her senior year she was selected to represent her college at the Sun Bowl as a Princess at the Sun Carnival in El Paso. Her first teaching job was in Fort Davis and she later taught at Pecos Elementary School. Her interest in sports was profound, and she carried in her mind an extensive array of baseball and football data. The Dallas Cowboys were her special interest, and she was a dedicated fan, particularly during the Tom Landry era. Because of her husband's aviation activities, she earned her pilot's license in 1964, and became a proficient pilot. Along with Dr. Schmidt she became involved in organized medicine, the Texas Medical Association and the AMA. She held offices on various committees of the TMA and the Ladies' group. She traveled to meetings all over the U.S. Overseas travel gave her much pleasure, and she was able to set foot on every continent on the earth. The lure of the ocean beckoned, and she delighted in cruises, from Alaska to Cape Horn, the Greek Islands, the Panama Canal, Windward Islands, South America, and more. Her last two trips were to the Holy Land and to the Passion Play at Oberammergau. The latter included Vienna, Prague and Budapest. Her husband had many interests, and she supported him unstintingly: Medicine, aviation, city government, Rotary and CAF. She helped in the medical practice as needed. After retirement in 1980, they moved to the mountains of Colorado, where they completed the interior of a beautiful home. She developed into an excellent carpenter's helper and became adept at tile setting. Colorado activities included snow mobiling, cross-country skiing, hiking and trout fishing. The parties she hosted were legendary and included Rotary, Regional Medical Society and the upriver community. Mary was a talented, generous, gregarious person, with a host of friends. She was a loving daughter, wife, mother and grandmother. To paraphrase Marc Anthony, "She was gentle, and the elements so mixed in her that Nature might stand up and say to all the world, 'This was a lady.'" Survivors include her husband, Dr. Edwin Schmidt of Odessa; mother, Ruth Jeffries; sister, Eloise Cummings of Jonesboro; son, Shane Schmidt and wife, Carol of Houston; stepdaughter, Joanne Schmidt of Albuquerque; grandchildren Stephanie and Eric of Houston. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Monday, November 26, 2001 at First Presbyterian Church, 1401 N. Sam Houston. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens. Pallbearers will be Lawrence Barber, Jerry Parsons, Jim Howard, Dudley Montgomery, Dr. C.S. Patterson, and Bill Hubbs. Arrangements by Frank W. Wilson Funeral Directors. If desired, memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church or the CAF. www.wilsonfuneral.com Kenneth R. Vaught CONROE - Kenneth R. Vaught, 58, passed away November 21, 2001. Mr. Vaught was a member of the First Baptist Church of The Woodlands. He was preceded in death by his loving wife Judith Ann Vaught. He is survived by his sons Ken Vaught, Jr. and wife Mary Jane of Conroe, Karey Vaught and wife London of Montgomery; grandsons Gunner Vaught, George Vaught, Grisham Vaught, Cullen Vaught and Sloan Vaught. Friends may call at Forest Park The Woodlands Funeral Home, 18000 I-45 South, Conroe on Monday, November 26, 2001, from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM. Funeral services will be held in the funeral home chapel on Tuesday, November 27, 2001, at 2:30 PM. Interment will follow at Forest Park The Woodlands Cemetery. Copyright © 2000, 2001 Odessa American. All rights reserved.