Bernardino "Benny" Tanguma Gomez, Sr.

Bernardino Tanguma Gomez, Sr., affectionately known by most as Benny, at 93 years of age, who resided in Holt, Michigan, passed away peacefully in his sleep on January 22, 2026.  Benny was born in Monteola, Texas to Mazelino Gomez and Petra Tanguma-Gomez on May 20, 1932. He attended a small one-room schoolhouse in Monteola, Texas through grade three. He then worked in the fields with his three sisters and his brother. Later, he was drafted into the Army where he served for two years as a flame thrower. He had many jobs throughout his life including welding, construction, and working as an assembly line worker at Fisher Body. After his many experiences in the workforce, Benny retired in his early 60s. He enjoyed traveling and site-seeing around the United States and Mexico where he collected many souvenirs. Benny was also very musical; a passion he hoped his children would inherit. His preferred instrument was the guitar, he also played the accordion, saxophone, and dabbled on the keyboard. He very much enjoyed watching professional wrestling, a pass-time he would unknowingly pass down to some of his children and grandchildren. His favorite meals consisted of the classic main Hispanic food groups, tamales, beans, fried potatoes, and tortillas. His favorite snack was popcorn. Benny is survived by the mother of his children, Mary Carson, his children, Magdeline (Dennis), Lydia (Alfred), Bernardino Jr. (Victoria), Anna (Sam), Moses (Linda), Ruth Ann (Robert), and Andrew. He is also survived by his sister, Marcelina Cardinas whom he loved to call Chellá, and his many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews, too great to list!  He was proceeded in death by his wife Sally Gomez, his parents, Mazelino and Petra Gomez, his son, Adam Gomez, his brother Pete Gomez, and his sisters, Angelita and Nazaria. Memorial service will be held at Mount Hope Church, 202 South Creyts Road, Lansing, MI 48917 on February 5, 2026, at 12:00 PM with Pastor Kevin Berry of Mount Hope Church officiating. Visitation will be held at Mount Hope Church on Thursday February 5, 2026 at 11:30 AM. Purse Funeral Home will be handling the cremation and burial arrangements.  Memorial donations may be made to Mount Hope Church, 202 S. Creyts Rd., Lansing, MI 48917. The family wishes to extend their gratitude to Pastor Kevin Berry of Mount Hope Church as well as every staff member and volunteer for their services, support, prayers, and generosity, including Mary Carson and volunteers for providing their food services. We would also like to thank Purse Funeral Home for working with our family.  Benny will be greatly missed here on earth by his many family members and friends.  We know that in his heart, his greatest wish was for his children to know Jesus personally and to father his children the best he knew how and so, we would like to honor him for that. We celebrate his long-lived life, are comforted by his peaceful passing, and most of all, we hold confidently to his joyful return home with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  www.PurseFuneralHome.com

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