UPDATE (5/21): A memorial service for Jose Gomez Lopez will be held at 5:00 PM on Friday, May 22 at the Center Street Baptist Church, located at 1202 S. Center Street, Marshalltown, IA
Directions to Center Street Baptist Church
UPDATE (4/19): Jose Gomez Lopez will be laid to rest on Saturday, following a funeral, in Mexico, surrounded by friends and family. May Jose rest in peace.
ORIGINAL STORY: The Marshalltown Community College men's soccer team, athletic department, and entire campus is deeply saddened and mourns the sudden loss of former student-athlete Jose Gomez Lopez who passed away.
Gomez was a two-year member of the MCC soccer team after graduating from Marshalltown High School. He was a part of the MCC squad that reached the NJCAA National Tournament in 2012. Gomez appeared in 27 career games for head coach Rafael Martinez, scoring six goals, including four as a sophomore.
"Jose had the best possible attitude," Martinez exclaimed. "He loved soccer and always wanted to improve. He constantly sought advice to improve his game. I knew him well from his high schools days and I'm glad he took the opportunity to join our program. He had an impact from day one."
"Jose was the definition of a team player. Even when he wasn't on the field, he kept being a great teammate, always pulling people together. We had conversations of his future, and soccer was always a part of it. His dream was soccer and he lived it with a great attitude."
Gomez came to MCC from Marshalltown High School where he was a member of the soccer and cross country teams. Creighton Jenness, Gomez's high school coach and assistant coach at MCC, had the luxury of seeing Gomez's career develop to the collegiate level.
"Jose was very meaningful with his relationships," Jenness expressed. "I was able to coach Jose his senior year in high school, and despite an injury that kept him sidelined, he came to every game and was always there to support his teammates. That was Jose. We always had impactful conversations about soccer, life, faith, family, and so much more. Jose was a great individual."
Martinez fondly remembered one moment that summed up the individual that was Jose Gomez. "We were in the semifinal round of the Region XI Tournament in 2012. I told the team we need everybody to focus today, we need everyone to help one another. If they lose their focus, you need to pick them up."
"At one point in the match, I was screaming at the referee, losing my focus. Jose came up to me and simply said, 'Coach, we need you.' I remember that specific moment. That was Jose, he'd listen to everything you had to say and he'd apply it to the extreme. A truly special individual."
Gomez's career highlight came in a victory over Indian Hills Community College on Sept. 25, 2013. "I remember when Jose scored a hat trick," Martinez said referring to the game against the Warriors. "Everybody was so happy for him when he accomplished things because of the positive attitude he carried with himself every single day."
"If Jose's life had to be summed up in one sentence, it'd be that Jose was somebody that impacted you as a person because of his positive approach in life and he made the best of everything that came across his path."
Services at this time are unknown and will be made available when determined.
