Ronald J. Gomez, Sr. - Renaissance Man

Funeral services will be held Saturday, July 16, 2022 at 11 am at Delhomme Funeral Home in Lafayette for Ronald J. Gomez, Sr., 87, who was raised on eagle’s wings and the breath of God Wednesday, July 13, 2022 at his home in Lafayette. Visitation will be held on Friday, July 15, 2022, 4 - 8 pm, with a rosary prayed at 6 pm. Visitation will continue on Saturday, July 16, 2022, 10 – 11 am. Son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, LSU cheerleader, advertising, and marketing professional, radio and tv broadcaster/newsman, entertainer, talk show host, civic leader, sports play-by-play announcer, big band singer, filmmaker, legislator, author, publisher - all these and more define a true renaissance man: Ron Gomez. A native of Baton Rouge, son of Anastasie and Lawrence, Ron Gomez is survived by his wife of 46 years, Carol A. Ross; three children: Nanette Gomez Oliver (David) of Lafayette; Ronald J. “Jimmie” Gomez, Jr., Denham Springs, and Laurence H. Gomez, Lafayette. Six grandchildren: Erik and Richelle Oliver, Lafayette; Jesse Gomez, Eagle River, Alaska; Crystal Wascom (Dewitt), Bryan Gomez and Brittany Gomez, Walker, LA; and three great-grandchildren, Kassie Wascom, Jaydon and Brendan Gomez. He was preceded in death by his parents and one son, Gregory Gomez. Also mourned by his faithful and dedicated caregiver, Ms. Laura Colomb. Ron grew up in the shadow of the state capitol and, as a young boy, played on its steps, no doubt influencing his future interest and involvement in state government. But he always said he could not have achieved all he did in his life anywhere else but his beloved Lafayette. Ron attended St. Agnes elementary school, Baton Rouge High and briefly LSU before joining the U. S. Air Force. As he described in his memoir “My Name is Ron and I’m a Recovering Legislator,” Ron’s early career in broadcasting included covering the legislature for WAIL and WJBO radio stations. One of his most vivid memories is of covering the last tumultuous term of Governor Earl K. Long and his long strange trip to involuntary commitment to a mental institution in Galveston and his controversial “release.” Unlike today, there weren’t that many reporters covering the capitol full time, so Ron was able to record phone interviews with the governor who would frequently pause to inquire: “You getting that Ronnie?” Eventually, Ron moved to Lafayette, where he worked as a newsman at KVOL and KPEL radio stations, and briefly at KATC-TV. Ron eventually found his broadcast home at KPEL and proceeded to be deeply involved in the Lafayette community In various civic clubs, the Greater Lafayette Chamber of Commerce and the University of Southwestern Louisiana - now UL Lafayette. Ron was the voice of the Ragin’ Cajuns football and basketball teams for twenty years. His travel with the teams, particularly the basketball team, made Ron acutely aware of the need for a new assembly center to replace the aging Blackham Coliseum, where the games were played. For this reason, he made a new multi-purpose basketball arena his top priority when he became president of the Greater Lafayette Chamber of Commerce in 1978. Part of the reason he ran for state legislature in 1979 was to shepherd the project through to completion of the facility now known as the Cajundome, with the help of the local delegation, former state senator Edgar G. Mouton and Governor Dave Treen. Another of his major legislative achievements as chairman of the commerce committee was the passage of the critical multi-parish banking legislation which helped ensure the continued solvency of many Louisiana financial institutions in the troubled economy of the oil bust eighties. Ron also pushed for and achieved the opening of the new University Medical Center in Lafayette (formerly the Charity Hospital) which was completed but remained unopened due to bureaucratic infighting. He was also successful in securing major funding for the four-laning of Kaliste Saloom Road, the only major state road project in Lafayette at that time due to the state’s dire fiscal situation. Named Rookie of the Year when first elected to the legislature, the late, fabled political observer John Maginnis once wrote that when “Gomez takes the mike, it’s drive time for the (Roemer) revolution.” Ron served with and held leadership positions with three very different governors: Dave Treen, Buddy Roemer and Edwin Edwards. After ten years as a legislator, Ron was appointed Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources by Governor Roemer in 1989 and was proud of being a key part of the effort to finally end shell dredging in Lake Pontchartrain in 1990. While in the legislature and afterward as Executive Director of Citizens Against Lawsuits Abuse, he fought for and won measures to help reform Louisiana’s broken tort system. Ron was an avid tennis player and he and his wife Carol were blessed to have traveled extensively including most of the United States, Canada and Mexico; the Caribbean; most of western and eastern Europe, Russia, Turkey and China, giving them a deep understanding and appreciation of how profoundly blessed we are to live in this great country. Ron was a great American and a patriot to his very last breath. Precis: • Elected three times to the Louisiana Legislature, 1979, 1983 and 1987. • Named “Rookie of the year” in first year, 1980. • Chaired House Committees on Commerce and Ways and Means. • Served on Joint Budget Committee, House Executive Committee and Legislative Audit Committee. • Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources, 1990 - 1991. Civic and Government Relations Experience: • Served five years as Executive Director of Louisiana Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse (CALA). • Served two years as Marketing Vice President for LABI, the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry. • Thirty five years in broadcasting with experiences ranging from reporting on the state legislature for radio stations in both Lafayette and Baton Rouge, and TV anchor of a morning show on KATC-TV in Lafayette. • Owned and managed three Louisiana radio stations, including KPEL and KTDY in Lafayette. • Published The Acadiana Gazette, the area’s only conservative publication 2008 - 2013. • Served as board member, Vice President of governmental affairs and President: Greater Lafayette Chamber of Commerce • Past board member: Goodwill Industries of Lafayette; Beaver Club of Lafayette; United Givers Fund; Louisiana Public Broadcasting. • Authored four books: “My name is Ron and I’m a Recovering Legislator” (Memoirs of a Louisiana Legislator) 1999, used in political science courses at Southeastern Louisiana University, LSU-Shreveport, Loyola University-New Orleans, Nicholls State University, Thibodaux and Guilford College, Greensboro, N. C.; “Pelican Games,” a political novel, 2003; “Neat,” a Louisiana-based historical novel, 2005, and “Slam Dunked” The NCAA’s shameful response to athletic integration in the deep south. • Recognition and awards too numerous to mention at the state and local level, including Who’s Who in America, American Tort Reform Association, Louisiana Association of Broadcasters Broadcaster of the Year 1979, Louisiana Public Broadcasting, Greater Lafayette Chamber of Commerce, Acadiana Advertising Federation Silver Medal Award, Beaver Club of Lafayette, Goodwill Industries, United Givers Fund Personal condolences may be sent to the Gomez family at www.delhommefuneralhome.com. Ronald J. Gomez, Sr. and his family were cared for and entrusted final arrangements to Delhomme Funeral Home, 1011 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette, LA. Copyright – Delhomme Funeral Homes, Inc. July 2022

Ronald J. Gomez, Sr. - Renaissance Man

October 18, 1934 - July 13, 2022