Allan B Gomez August 21, 1932 - October 2, 2023

A wonderful story began on August 21, 1932. This was the day that Allan B. Gomez started life in a small home in Spanish Fork, Utah. He was the youngest of 4 children born to Bonnie and Lilly Gomez.

As a small child, Allan learned to love the outdoors and the adventures it brought to his life living with a family that worked for the railroad. One town he lived in was Lund, Utah (30 miles west of Cedar City). He would tell stories about trains full of soldiers stopping to refill the steam engines as they headed to California to train, then fight in World War II. While in Lund, he also attended a small one-room schoolhouse where the teacher would have them each brush their teeth with a communal toothbrush and baking soda. Class responsibilities included cleaning the bathroom and doing the teacher’s laundry as part of the daily chores.

As Allan grew, his family moved into various railroad towns, some with one room and coal-oil lighting, including Lund, Erda, Warner, and Stockton, UT and also Uveda, NV. He learned to love to hunt, fish, and hike. Hunting and trapping often provided the meals the family ate and income from selling furs, mostly muskrats. It was a hard life, but one Allan spoke of fondly as he recalled adventures he experienced in and around these small towns, at least one which is now a ghost town.

Finally, Allan’s dad was transferred to Spanish Fork, Utah. It was in Spanish Fork that Allan spent the majority of years growing up, attending school, hunting and trapping, and having experiences with his friends now that he was in a big town. Allan graduated from Spanish Fork High school in 1950 and immediately started working for Ironton Steel company in Utah.

Later, he was called to serve an LDS mission to Japan. His mission plans were interrupted by being drafted into the Army during the Korean War. During the war he served in a Central intelligence unit where he saw action and was wounded (he had shrapnel in his back for the remainder of his life).

After the war had ended, Alllan attended Brigham Young University (BYU). He studied soil chemistry and played on the BYU football and basketball teams. During this period he also excelled at playing tennis for the BYU team.

It was during this time he met Sharon Swenson. They were married December 5, 1958 in the Manti, Utah Temple. They would have celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary this coming December. They had two sons, Kelly and Clark, by 1964. It was during this time that Allan finished his degree and went to work for the government, ending with the Utah County (1963) Conservation and Stabilization office. Allan worked his way to be promoted to work in Washington DC. It was during a five day trip to Washington DC that Allan and Sharon learned about what their new life would entail. Upon returning, they were met by Allan’s lifelong friend Lynn Bateman and family at the airport and were asked “Are you going to take the job and leave all your friends?” Needless to say, Allan and Sharon stayed in Utah.

Soon after, Allan returned to BYU to finish the needed requirements to go to apply to medical school and was accepted at the California School of Podiatric Medicine in San Francisco. In 1968, the family packed up and moved to San Francisco so Allan could attend Podiatry School. Being an older student with a family to support, Allan worked hard to balance work, home and school. Weekdays were packed with school and homework, then Saturdays were filled with painting jobs and taking his family to beaches and museums.

Allan graduated in 1972 and opened a practice in Provo. He loved serving and helping others in his role as a doctor. Allan enjoyed all of his patients. No matter how busy, he took time to often tell stories as he practiced medicine. He also practiced “kitchen medicine” and many friends and neighbors were stitched up and treated at the kitchen table.

During this time Allan’s family grew to include another son, Andrew, who rounded out the family of five.

Allan had a lifelong love of fishing, specifically fly fishing. He ended up purchasing a fishing cabin on the Upper Provo River where many good times were had over the years with family and friends. He was able to fish to his heart’s content. Allan could “read” the river and rarely did he miss the day’s catch. Allan loved to share with everyone his deep love of fishing, often sharing hand-tied fishing flies and knowledge of his favorite fishing areas.

In about 1974, the Gomez’s built a home and moved to Mapleton, UT. Having the additional acreage in Mapleton, Allan acquired mules, miniature donkeys, goats, cats, and dogs. He loved spending time with his animals.

Allan retired from his medical practice in 2000. After retiring from practice, he joined the staff at the Utah State Hospital. He enjoyed helping and assisting patients and fellow staff there well into his eighties. During this time he had more time to enjoy with Sharon, his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

On October 2, 2023, at the age of 91, Allan returned to his Heavenly Parents and all those who have gone before him.

Survivors include: Sharon Swenson(wife), Kelly (Elise), J.Clark (Ann), grandchildren: Bryn(Jesse), Katie(Michael), Bronson, Jackson(Emily), Abbie. 2 great-grandchildren, Alta and Archie. He is also survived by his beloved animals: Elvis (dog), Pedro, Lefty, Pancho (donkeys), Cheech and Chong (goats), Richard and Felicia (mules).

Allan was preceded in death by his son, Andrew Gomez, 2 sisters, an infant brother, and his parents.

There will be a visitation Thursday evening, October 5, 2023 where family and friends may gather from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at Walker Funeral Home, 187 South Main Street, Spanish Fork, Utah 84660.

Funeral Service will be Friday, October 6, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints South Main Chapel, 1316 South Main Street, Mapleton, Utah 84664.  There will also be a visitation at the church that morning, from 9:45 a.m. – 10:45a.m. prior to the funeral.