A celebration of life for Rudy A. Gomez, Jr., 59, of Las Vegas, Nevada and formerly of Compton, will be 2:00 p.m. Friday, March 9, 2007 at Lompoc Evergreen Cemetery.

Mr. Gomez was born February 22, 1948 in Lompoc to Rudy and Susan Becerra Gomez. His family moved to Compton, Calif. in 1953 where he attended local schools. In August of 1969, he was inducted into U.S. Army and completed training in St. Louis, Missouri. He was transferred to Fort Lewis, Washington and then ordered overseas to serve in Vietnam. He was honorably discharged in August 1971.

Rudy returned to his home in Compton and began working as a bank security guard. He later worked for a furniture company and then a cook at a local restaurant.

For the last 15 years of his life, Rudy lived in Las Vegas. His first job there was in construction for a few years, and then he returned to being a cook. He became a chef years later at a local casino. His favorite pastimes included listening to all types of music and playing guitar.

He died Saturday, February 24, 2007 in Las Vegas.

Survivors include his father, Rudy Gomez, Sr. of Compton; son, Anthony Gomez and his wife, Maria of Santa Maria; four sisters (spouses), Elva (Gilbert) Gonzales of Lompoc, Mona (Rudy) Navarro of West Covina, Annette Gomez of Baldwin Park, and Olivia Gomez of Compton; step-brother, Gene Hardina of Compton; grandchildren, Maleigha and Nicholas Gomez; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother, Susan Gomez and brother, Gilbert Vargas.