Dennis Lyhel Gomez

United States Army Specialist Dennis Lyhel Gomez passed away on April 23, 2022 during a training accident.

Gomez was born in El Paso, Texas and raised in McAllen, Texas. As a child, he loved to spend as much time as possible outdoors. He was an explorer who loved to climb trees and use his creative mine to build imaginary forts. Additionally, Gomez participated in Boy Scouts, played soccer and loved fishing from a young age. He and his wife, Abril, met through a mutual workplace in their early twenties. After bonding over their shared love for music and senses of humor, the pair were inseparable.

Inspired by his grandfather, who served in the Korean War, as well as his patriotic spirit, Gomez decided to enlist in the US Army in August of 2020. He loved the new opportunities his career provided for himself and his family and had long-term goals to enroll in college and become a homeowner. He also had ambitions of becoming an entrepreneur and growing a successful business. In April of 2022, after nearly two years in the military, Gomez was involved in a training accident, leading to his premature death.

Abril currently enjoys soccer, swimming, music and painting. She and her sons support their community through participating in local races and walkathons. In the future, she is excited to continue to raise her sons to have good values in her new home. She is eternally grateful to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation for giving her the opportunity to provide a safe space and home base for her family to continue to heal and grow as a unit. Abril would like to thank her family for being the backbone of her support system in the aftermath of losing her beloved husband. Finally, she would like others to know that Gomez had an eternal optimism to him and was a believer in the amazing things that could come through perseverance. He valued quality time with his loved ones above all else. His big heart shines through his three sons.

United States Army Specialist Dennis Lyhel Gomez is survived by his loving wife, Abril, and his three sons.

The Tunnel to Towers Foundation has paid off the mortgage of the Gomez family home through the Gold Star Family Home Program.