Melchor "Mel" Gomez, 70, of Hale Center, passed away on Thursday, January 2, 2026. A visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Monday, January 5, 2026, at Ramage Funeral Directors, in Hale Center. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, January 6, 2026, at Hale Center First Methodist Church with Dr. Les Griffin and Dr. Gene Meacham officiating. Interment will follow at Hale Center Cemetery under the care of Ramage Funeral Directors.

Mel was born January 18, 1955, in Brownsville, Texas, to Manuel and Amelia (Gaona) Gomez. He graduated from Homer Hanna High School in Brownsville in 1974. Mel moved to Hale Center in 1994, where he became a well-known and respected member of the community. He was the owner and operator of Owl's Café for more than 20 years, a gathering place cherished by many.

Mel dedicated more than 30 years of his life to ministry, serving as a pastor at several churches including Primera Iglesia in Pasadena, Jerusalem Baptist Church in Hale Center, and for the past eight years at Date Street Community Baptist Church in Plainview. Mel led Date Street Community Baptist Church as Replant Pastor for Texas Baptists. He faithfully served as a former president of Compañerismo de los Planos. He was also a board member for the Caprock Plains Baptist Association. His passion was teaching pastors and church leaders for the Baptist Bible Institute of the Baptist University of the Americas certificate program. Mel also served as a former Hale Center City Council member, President of the Hale Center EMS Association, and a member of the Hale Center Lions Club.

Known for his great sense of humor, Mel loved to joke and could always bring a smile to those around him. He enjoyed fishing, watching his beloved Dallas Cowboys, and most of all, spending time with his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two sons, Steven Gomez and Jose Israel Gomez; and a sister, Rita Lopez.

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Francisca Gomez of Hale Center; his son, Santos "Rudy" Torres and wife Evelia of Lockney; his brothers, Manuel Gomez, Jr. and wife Rosie of Brownsville, and Gaspar Gomez and wife Mary-Catherine of San Antonio; his sister, Cruz Rynazewski of California; four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Mel will be remembered for his servant's heart, his leadership, and his unwavering dedication to his faith, family, and community. His legacy will continue to live on in the many lives he touched.