Patterson Cemetery District, Stanislaus County, CA Submitted by Gale Stroud and Burta Herger 26 Aug 2007 This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for non-commercial purposes, MUST obtain the written consent of the contributor, OR the legal representative of the submitter. Gomez Mitchell 810223 np 2 Youths Killed in Car Crash; Patterson � The community found itself in a state of shock Sunday morning when word spread of the deaths of two well-known Patterson High School seniors. Mitchell Gomes and Vicky Avila died of injuries suffered in an early Sunday auto crash on Highway 33 about a mile north of Crows Landing. Although full details of the weekend crash were not available by press-time, it was learned that Avila may have bean driving the Gomes auto. Another passenger, Mary Wheeland, was less seriously injured and was treated at Del Puerto Hospital before being transferred to Doctors Hospital in Modesto. She also is a PHS senior. The single-car accident occurred shortly after 1 am on a straight stretch of roadway. The vehicle rolled over several times and broke off a power pole knocking out the electricity in the community of Crows Landing. Gomes was found dead in the wreckage. Avila was taken by Medi- Flight helicopter directly from the scene to Doctors Hospital, where she died of head and internal injuries later Sunday morning. The Patterson Fire Department used the Jaws of Life equipment at the accident scene. Gomes was a star athlete at PHS, having bean named all-league in basketball a year ago, this year s selections have not yet been made, and football this past fall. He was the leading scorer on this year s Tiger basketball team, and was outstanding in several track events. He was the son of Gene and Ruth Gomes of Patterson. Avila, the daughter of Mary Orozco of Patterson, was the head varsity cheerleader this year, having been a junior varsity cheerleader and then a song leader the past two years. Wheelands is the daughter of the Jack Wheelands of rural Patterson. Funeral services are pending. Gomes Mitchell 810226 p1 Final Rites Held for 2 PHS Seniors; Separate funeral services for two 17 year old PHS seniors killed in an early Sunday auto accident drew overflow turnouts. Mitchell Gomes, son of Gene and Ruth Gomes, was buried Tuesday while Vicky Avila, daughter of Mary Orozco, had a Wednesday service. Both services drew large numbers of mourners, many of them their classmates at Patterson High where they were popular students. Also paying final tribute to Gomes, who was an outstanding athlete in three sports, were members of the Central Catholic basketball team who attended the service. Riverbank and Escalon athletes also conveyed their respects. Recovering from injuries received in the accident, which occurred shortly after 1 a.m. Sunday on Highway 33 about a mile north of Crows Landing, is Mary Wheeland, another PHS senior. She suffered a broken leg and collarbone and is in satisfactory condition at Doctors Hospital in Modesto. Mitchell Gomes was born in Patterson and was a member of Sacred Heart Church. He was president of the senior class, an officer in the Senior Men s Honor Society, and member of the Ski Club, Drama Club, CSF, and yearbook staff. He finished in the top one percent in the national SAT test - receiving the highest score of any student at PHS. He was all- league in both football and basketball; and held the school and league record in the triple jump in track. Besides his parents he is survived by two brothers, Neil of Montana and Greg of Patterson; a sister, Karen Yamamoto of Westley; grandparents Mr. and Mrs. John Gomes and Mr. and Mrs. Vernon Dark, all of Patterson; and a niece, Corrin Yamamoto of Westley. The family requests that remembrances be sent to the Mitch Gomes Memorial Fund at Citizens Savings in Patterson. The fund will be used to honor the top PHS senior athlete in track Burial was in Patterson District Cemetery. Vicky Louise Avila also was born in Patterson and was a member of Sacred Heart church. She was a member of the Pep Club yearbook staff, and MASA, was the head varsity cheerleader, and was a sixth grade camp counselor. Survivors besides her mother include her father, Fred Avila of Salinas; a brother, Eddie of Patterson; a sister, Christina Orozco of Patterson; and grandmothers Victoria Orozco of Patterson and Emelia Avila of Salinas.