James Gomer

1935 - 2025

James (Jim) Neal Gomer, 90, passed away Tuesday, October 28, 2025. Jim was born on February 3, 1935 to Samuel Sr. and Pearl (Thompson) Gomer in Dallas City, IL. Jim graduated from LaHarpe, IL High School in 1953, where he was a governor, yearbook contributor, in chorus, in school plays and an athlete. Jim also served as LaHarpe High's representative to Boys' State. Jim was called to active duty in the United States Navy April 24, 1955. He was promoted to Quartermaster 3 February 16, 1957. He was honorably discharged April 27, 1957. He served in the Naval reserves for 2 years following active duty. Jim married Betty A. Foster and had 2 sons, Steven and Jeffrey and also raised Betty's two sons, Terry Ellis and Gary Ellis. Jim was a small business owner almost all of his adult life. He started with an egg and cream business in Knoxville, IL in the early 1960s. Later that decade, he purchased the 7th Ward Tap in Galesburg, IL and ran that for approximately 20 years. In the 1980s, Jim moved to Phoenix, AZ and married Cleona Jeanne Wegner. Jim operated 6 businesses in Phoenix - Escape Hatch Bar, sub shop, a parking lot cleaning business, used appliance store, and the Mint Tavern. He sold these and Jim and Jeanne moved to Sierra Vista, AZ and purchased the Sorry Gulch Saloon. He was a lifetime member of AMVETS post #89 and served as their commander from 1991 to 1993. He loved to shoot pool and played pool competitively in Sierra Vista as well as achieving success in Arizona 9 Ball and advancing to play in the finals in Las Vegas, NV. Jim is survived by his wife, Cleona Jeanne, her 2 sons (Brian Wegner and Jason Wegner), Steven Gomer (Delores), Jeffrey Gomer, Terry Ellis, his grandsons Kevin Gomer (Katherine) and Connor Gomer (Stephanie), two granddaughters Megan Lesko (David) and Lauren Gomer (Dini), three great granddaughters Charlotte Gomer, Clara Gomer, and Madeline Lesko and one great grandson Everett Gomer. Jim was preceded in death by his sisters Betty Anne Colvin (Charles) and Emily Ashford (Walter) as well as his brother Samuel Gomer Jr (Barbara). He was also preceded in death by his stepsons Gary Ellis and Scott Wegner. There will be a memorial service at Southern Arizona Memorial Cemetery 1300 South Buffalo Soldier Trail Sierra Vista, Arizona on December 19th, 2025 at 10 a.m. (please arrive by 9:30 a.m. and follow sign that reads "All Committal Services Turn Right to Staging Area" and park by Committal Service Stop Sign). Full military honors will be provided. Jim will be interred in LaHarpe IL near his parents. Donations can be made to St. Vincent de Paul Society of Sierra Vista, AZ.