Jeronimo Gamez

Jeronimo Gamez, Sr., 89, of Waco, passed away Wednesday, December 31, 2008. Graveside services will be 11:30 a.m. Saturday, January 3, 2009 at the Santa Cruz Cemetery near Riesel. Visitation will be 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday at OakCrest Funeral Home. The rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. in the OakCrest Funeral Home Chapel, 4520 Bosque Blvd. with Deacon Jessie Garza officiating.

Jeronimo was born April 27, 1919 in Westphalia to Simon Gamez and Elisa Zuniga Gamez. He worked for the City of Waco Parks and Recreation Department retiring in 1984 after 21 years of service. Upon his retirement, his greatest joy came from being a taxi driver for his grandchildren, nieces and nephews as he shuttled them to and from school.

Jeronimo played the saxophone in a Country & Western band at venues throughout Central Texas with his brother, Jessie, where they were billed as "The Twin Sax". In his earlier years, Jeronimo played the saxophone with Willie Nelson.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Josephine "Josie" Chavez Gamez; his parents; four brothers; and two sisters.

Jeronimo is survived by two daughters, Margie Hubbard of Longview and Alicia Gamez of Waco; two sons, Geronimo Gamez, Jr. and wife, Sarah of Waco and Charles Simon Gamez and wife, Scheryl of Gilmer; two sisters, Mary Caldera and Mary Magdelena Gamez; sister-in-law, Mary C. Garcia and husband, Manuel of Moody; brother, Jessie Gamez; 12 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; and a large extended family including nieces and nephews.