Obituary of Charles Ray Gomer

Palmer, Tennessee – Rev. Charles Ray Gomer, 79, passed away Saturday March 25, 2023, at the Alive Hospice in Murfreesboro, Tennessee with his family at his bedside.  He was born in Nashville, Tennessee in 1943, to Roy Paul and Gladys Spruill Gomer who preceded him in death along with his brother, Roy Ferrell Gomer.

Ray grew up on the campus of Trevecca Nazarene College, now Trevecca Nazarene University.  He attended Trevecca Nazarene Elementary, Junior High and was in the last graduating class of Trevecca Nazarene High School.  Ray and Carol met through Trevecca and married in 1965. He began his ministry as a childrens and youth pastor at Chattanooga Grace Church of the Nazarene in the 1970's.  Ray found fulfillment in all of his work. He was a trained Journeyman Machinist and worked to help improve joints for artificial limbs. In the late 1980's, in addition to his machinist work, he became the pastor of Palmer Church of the Nazarene and later a full time senior pastor at Carthage Church of the Nazarene in the early 2000's.  He retired in 2008 due to his decline in physical mobility.  Ray still loved, encouraged and prayed for many people even though he was no longer "employed" as a pastor and never failed to witness to those he came in contact with.  

He is survived by his wife, Carol Savage Gomer; son, Pastor Cary (SarahBeth) Gomer; daughters, Laurie E. Gomer and Emily C. (Cliff) Hinson; brother, Jim (Sharon) Gomer; sister, Martha (Ron) Dalton; grandchildren James Cullen, Philip Clay (Valaina), Casey Aaron, Caleb Micah (Madison) and Catie Grace Gomer and Carter Morgan Hinson; stepgrandchildren Kaytlynn, Cegan and Kiwi Hinson; great grandchildren Eliza Kate, Noah Clay and Payton Lacy Gomer; several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held 2:00 PM Saturday April 1, 2023 in the funeral home chapel with pastors Ron Dalton, Ron Dewitt, John Burge and Cary Gomer officiating with burial to follow in the Fall Creek Cemetery.

Visitation: 2:00 PM – 9:00 PM Friday March 31, 2023 at Layne Funeral Home, Palmer, Tennessee.  

There were a few charities that were special to Ray.  In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you donate to one of these causes.

Alive Hospice https://www.alivehospice.org/service-area/hospice-care-murfreesboro-tn/

The Gideons International https://gideons.org/ 

Life Choices https://everylifematterstn.org/