GOMEZ, SEVERO (1925 ~ 2006). The following is an obituary for noted Texas educator Dr. Severo Gomez. The obituary was published in the October 20, 2006 edition of the Austin American-Statesman.
"Severo Gomez - Longtime Texas educator, Dr. Severo Gomez, died on October 17, 2006 in Albuquerque, NM. He was born in Woodsboro, Texas on January 18, 1924 to Severo and Paula Hinojosa Gomez and is survived by sisters: Abelia Gomez and Zoila Fife of Oklahoma City, Pauline Reed of Costa Mesa, CA, brothers: Vernon Gomez of Tucson, AZ, and Ed Gomez of Albuquerque, NM. He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings: David Gomez, Aurora Gonz lez and Jovita Mascorro.
A funeral Mass was celebrated at the Church of the Risen Savior in Albuquerque, with Father Antonio Mondragon of the Arcdhdiocese of Santa Fe presiding. A memorial service will be held in Austin. He was a World War II veteran, serving in the European Theater.
Dr. Gomez has a long history in education in Texas. He graduated salutatorian in the class of 1942 at Woodsboro High School; received bachelor's and master's degrees from Texas A. & I. College in Kingsville in chemistry and mathematics; taught science and math at Benavides and Rio Grande City High Schools from 1948 until 1959; enrolled at the University of Texas Austin, receiving his PhD in Educational Administration in 1963.
In 1960, while working toward his PhD, he began an administrative career at the Texas Education Agency (TEA) that culminated in his appointment in 1967 as Assistant Commissioner of Education. He became head of the International and Bilingual Education department under then Commissioner J. W. Edgar serving at TEA until his retirement in 1975. Prior to his position as assistant commissioner, he was a TEA consultant, assistant director of Guidance and Supervision, program director for science, director of the Division of Program Approvals, and state coordinator for International Education.
Dr. Gomez traveled extensively in Latin America as a member of the Committee on Latin American affairs of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools conducting programs in bilingual/bi-national schools in Brazil, Ecuador, Chile, Mexico, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Colombia and Guatemala. As an advocate for bilingual education in the United States, Dr. Gomez is also known for his involvement in planning, organizing, and serving as Chairperson for the very first National Conference on Bilingual Education held in Austin in 1972.
His professional association memberships include: National Science Teachers Association, National Educational Association, Texas Academy of Science, Texas State Teachers Association, Phi Delta Kappa, and the International Good Neighbor Council. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus, volunteered as a religious education teacher of Catholic teens and was counselor to the Columbian Squires, the youth arm of the K of C.
A memorial service will be held for Dr. Gomez at Mission Funeral Home, 1615 E. Cesar Chavez Street in Austin Sunday, October 22, 2006 from 4 to 6 p.m. Interment will take place at the State Cemetery the following day, Monday at 10 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made for the poor and needy to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Austin Council, P. O. Box 9070, Austin, TX. 78766."
Further information is available through the Texas State Cemetery research department. |
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