Pepper Gomez , RIP
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Memories:
I met Pepper Gomez in 1963 in Houston, when
I was first getting started. He was a big star already, and had
that mischievous smile in his eyes, a 'bounce in his step,' wore clothes
that bespoke his stardom, made a great impression on a 'young man
such as myself, just getting started-----and loved his career. Later,
in northern California in about 1966, after I had 'become a star in
wrestling too' we had occasion to work together. While I worked Roy
Shires' area, I too lived in Hayward, where Pepper lived, so we had
occasion to socialize some too. He was a gracious host.
One funny story, he had just returned from
Australia or somewhere, and I was in a match, I believe in Sacramento-----a
'lumberjack match,' and to tell you the truth, most of us did not
enjoy 'being lumberjacks' in this 'kind of match,' because we had
'already wrestled' and wanted to shower and be ready to head home------but
instead had to stay in our wrestling gear, and then, go out and stand
around the ring 'to throw back in' the contestants in the match should
they be thrown out of the ring or run out of the ring, as the 'villian'
was wont to do-----thus, the 'lumberjack designation' so the fans
would know the 'villian' would not get away with running out.
So, I was in this match, and it was a 'tag-team
lumberjack match' with my partner, Jim Hady (now deceased, but a great
star, and a great teacher of me), and we were against Ray Stevens
(one of the absolute greatest!) and Pat Patterson (who benefited
by being teamed with Ray, and learned well, and capitalized on it,
and has been a long-time star too.) Well, Pepper was really not paying
much attention to the match, and was looking out at the crowd, and
Jim Hady tagged me 'in'------and I wore a special pair of Cowboy boots
in the ring, and they were heavy, and even had a steel instep for
support------and as I swung my leg in over the ropes, Pepper happened
to turn toward the ring, and I accidentally caught him right on the
chin with my Cowboy boot, as his head was just above apron level of
the ring, and it really 'stunned him,' and he went down to the floor,
of course I did not even realize it. Then, I made my action in the
ring, termed a 'comeback' and then Hady wanted me to tag him back
into the match, and I did, and as I stepped back through the ropes
to the apron, Pepper was just getting up off the floor, and had his
hand on the apron, and I stepped on his hand, and broke his finger.
He was so damn mad-------and of course 'we'-----the
boys, thought it was so damn funny! That was the 'humor' of our sport,
tough guys in a tough business, that could laugh at things like this------or
course, Pepper didn't think it was one bit funny,--------but, he got
over it------as we all did.
But, Pepper was something! He took me to
a restaurant in San Francisco I'll never forget, it was Scoma's or
something like that, and we had a dish called Ciopino I believe, which
was like a seafood stew in a tomato base, in a huge bowl, just crammed
full of seafood, and with a piece of garlic toast floating right on
top. It was awesome, and I never have forgotten it.
I guess you can tell, good food, and plenty
of it, was a highlight too of our lives in that business.
As I reflect on life, I am so humbled by
the tremendous people I've had the opportunity to meet and associate
with-----and Pepper was one. (And to tell the truth, so often 'took
it for granted' and really did not fully appreciate it, until so much
later.)
This morning, reading your notice of his
passing, brings tears to my eyes. So many have gone, and a lot more
are fighting tremendous health challenges to live. (I pray they each
have come to know Jesus personally and can have assurance eternally,
as can their families.)
My heart goes out to Pepper's family-------and
to console them in their grief, that he is 'in a better place now'
and in a body that no longer hurts or is sick. I hope everyone finds
true rest in the Lord, and I look to the time when I can be with my
Savior, Jesus Christ------forever in glory------and to see Him as
He truly is instead of filtered through my own 'flesh.'
I talked to Pepper briefly a few years back-------time
flies-------my he rest in peace.
Sincerely,
Bill Watts, aka Cowboy
Bill Watts
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