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Jesus Gomez, 70

Jesus Gomez, 70 of Marshalltown, IA passed away Saturday, February 20, 2021 at Unity Point Hospital in Marshalltown. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m., Friday, February 26, 2021 at St. Francis of Assisi – St. Mary Catholic Church in Marshalltown. Visitation will be 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., with a 7:00 p.m. vigil service Thursday, February 25, 2021 at Anderson Funeral Homes in Marshalltown. Interment will be at Riverside Cemetery. Arrangements have been entrusted to Anderson Funeral Homes. Online condolences may be sent to www.andersonfhs.com.

Jesus Gomez was born December 3rd 1950 in Pihuamo, Jalisco, Mexico to his parents Balvina Rangel and Apolino Gomez. He married the love of his life, Maria Gomez on November 8th 1972. In his early years in Mexico, his life was hard due to economical reasons. He made the bold decision to seek out a better life and made his journey to the United States in 1977. Maria and Jesus spent 18 years in California as migrant workers, after many years of hard work in the fields they wanted more out of life. Jesus’s nephew, who he saw as another son, Pedro Larios reached out to them about moving to Iowa for a better opportunity. So, they packed up and settled into what they would call home for the rest of their lives.

Jesus, Maria, and their 3 children came to Marshalltown, Iowa in 1997. The first thing they wanted to seek out was a Church. They came across St. Marys Church, and met an amazing man named Father Paul. Father Paul gave them many resources to start building their future in Marshalltown. Through the church they found many friends and began their mission and service to help the community. One of Jesus’s amazing qualities was that he was a giver. His generosity and positive attitude helped shape the life of many people in his community. He was the type of person to give you the shirt off his back. Through his positivity and love he gained so many friendships, and godchildren. He was best known as “Papi Chuy” because that is what all his grandchildren and godchildren knew him as, their Papi Chuy.

Jesus spent many years working at Swifts & Co. Maria and Jesus were a couple of many trades. They invested in real estate to bring in more income. They also spent many years being of service to the church and helped organize fundraisers. They started cooking and selling food at many local events in Marshalltown and the surrounding areas. They participated in our Oktemberfest every year. That is when a lot of their friends encouraged them to open a business of their own. They saw yet another opportunity and decided to open to what is now known as “Marias Tacos”. They started with just a small taco bus trailer and later expanded their business into a permanent location located on State Street in Marshalltown. Jesus loved that restaurant. He would wake up every morning and start firing up his grill and grilling his famous asada. He would tell the employees to leave the window cracked open so that the aroma would fill the streets and make people hungry for his tacos. What Jesus and his wife Maria built for their family is a gift unlike any other. A family business for the generations to come after them can help care for and continue the family legacy. That is what Jesus built, a legacy for his family.

He enjoyed many things; playing poker was one of his favorite pass times, he loved to travel with his children and wife, he loved naps, he loved sneaking off to the casino, he loved eating meals with his “Mi amor”, that is what he called his wife Maria… “Mi amor” “My love”. They truly were the love of each other’s lives. He was a smart bright man, due to the life he had in Mexico he didn’t get a chance to attend school. You would never know that by meeting him. He was so intelligent and good with numbers.

Family was the most important thing for Jesus. He was always looking out for them, always made sure his wife, children, and grandchildren were well taken care of. Jesus filled up a room, his energy radiated love and cheer. He helped a tremendous amount of people get settled here in the United States. Jesus and Maria spent many years opening up their homes to people in need, especially women, because that was just the kind of man he was. He is loved by many. The impact he made on people will forever live in all our hearts. That was his greatest gift, his heart. He had a heart of gold. We will all remember that beautiful smile and laugh. A laugh that can be heard from miles away. A laugh and cheer so powerful it could light up even the darkest times. Jesus truly lived his life to the fullest, he gives us all hope to live and be half the man he was.

Jesus is survived by his wife Maria Gomez, 3 children, Juan Ramon Gomez, Joel Gomez, and Balvina Gomez; 11 Grandchildren, Brenda, Miguel, Monica, Jose Manuel, Carrol, Ximena, Kenya, Andrea, Katie, Lily, Jesus, his 2 Great Grandchildren, Andrew, and Katerina, he also had another great grandchild on the way, and many nephews, nieces, godchildren, and 2 sisters. He was preceded in death by his parents Balvina and Apolino, Son Miguel Gomez, and his brother and two sisters.

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