Rocendo Gomez

Former Washington sheriff's assistant Rocendo (Ross) Rivera Gomez, 80, of Washington, died at 12:40 p.m. Saturday, June 21, 2003, in Donnell House, Washington, following a lengthy illness. He was born January 11, 1923, in Los Angeles, Calif., a son of Rocendo and Maria Rivera Gomez. Mr. Rivera Gomez was United Methodist. While he was in California, he worked in the parts department of an airline factory. Mr. Rivera Gomez volunteered as a sheriff's assistant in Washington. During World War II, he served in U.S. Army Air Force. Mr. Rivera Gomez was first married to Lenore and then to Gladys Phillips, who are both deceased. On June 12, 1997, he married Lillian Irene Salsbury Adams, who survives. Also surviving are a stepson, Ronald Adams of Richburg, S.C.; a daughter, Helen Buckhorn of Bellflower, Calif.; a granddaughter, Michelle Pagett; and three great-grandchildren. GOMEZ - Friends of Rocendo (Ross) Rivera Gomez of Washington, who died Saturday, June 21, 2003, will be received from 10 a.m. to noon and 1 to 8 p.m., the time of services, Monday, June 23, in William G. Neal Funeral Homes Ltd., 925 Allison Avenue, Washington, with Robert J. Davison officiating.