Victor Rodriguez Gomez

Tupelo-One of Tupelo's great restaurateurs, Victor Rodriguez Gomez departed this life and the people he loved including family and a great host of friends. Victor died unexpectedly but in good spirits in the early morning hours of Monday, Oct. 27, 2025 after a period of declining health. He was 74 years old. A native of General Teran, Mexico, he was born on June 5, l951 to the late Victor Gomez Cepeda and Adela Rodriquez Gomez. He married the love of his life, Carmen Salas in Monterey, Mexico on Oct. 9, l971. They made their way to Tupelo in l972 where they began their family. Victor worked several years for the legendary Gas Light Inn, under the tutelage of Conrado Aguirre where he learned the restaurant business well. After working for several years at WTVA where he served as a cameraman and producer, a job that fit his personality well, he returned to the restaurant business working at Taco Hut. In l988, he and his family founded Casa Monterrey. He retired in 2009 after selling his property to build CVS Pharmacy. Victor endeared himself to the people of Lee County and all of Northeast Mississippi with his wonderful warm personality and conversational abilities, his dry wit and his stellar food and service, which he never compromised. Victor was always athletic. He boxed as a young man in Mexico both in amateur and professional leagues. Health was very important to him. He hardly ever missed the Gumtree 10K, and always finished the race albeit not always in first place. He loved cycling and was often seen about town on his bicycle. A lover of soccer, Victor coached several teams in the Tupelo Park and Rec and at Pierce St. School. He loved to travel, eat at many restaurants, and was a master griller. While he loved his Mexican heritage, one of his proudest moments was his American citizenship which was a source of pride to him always. Victor was a # 1 supporter of all things Tupelo and was glad to call it home for 53 years. Victor was a blessed man, revered his family, his God, the Catholic faith and respected all mankind.
A Funeral Mass will be held at 11 AM Thursday, October 30, 2025, at St. James Catholic Church with Father Tim Murphy and Reverend Mario Solorzano as co-officiants. Private entombment will take place in the Church Columbarium. Visitation will be from 5 PM - 7 PM Wednesday evening at Holland Funeral Directors-Tupelo. The Rosary will be recited at 6:30 PM.
Victor is survived by his wife of 54 years, Carmen Gomez of Tupelo; Victor Gomez (Tammy) of Muscle Shoals, AL, Scott Gomez of Tupelo, Ricky Gomez (Marilee) of Southaven and Jennifer Gomez of Memphis; his grandchildren whom he loved dearly, Noah, Scott, Elizabeth, Alex, Adam, Andrew Jacob, Noah, Gabby, Sophie, Lily, Evie, Katie, Santos, Zaira, Zulma, Alejandro and Fabian; 3 great grandchildren, Valerie Joe, Grayson and Riley; one sister in Chicago, one brother in Houston and several siblings in Mexico and their families. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers.
Memorials may be made to St. James Catholic Church, P. O. Box 734, Tupelo, MS 38802 or to The Immigrant Food Pantry byIndivisible Memphis at their Facebook page or indivisiblememphis.org. Condolences may be posted on Victor's memorial page at hollandfuneraldirectors.com