Pedro (Pete) Dominguez, Jr.

Pedro (Pete) Dominguez Jr., 85, of Topeka, died February 14, 2014 at the House at Midland Care. Pete was born on September 30, 1928 the son of Pedro Dominguez, Sr. and Juanita Carrera Padilla. He was raised in Topeka and graduated from Topeka High School in 1946. Pete joined the Army and served in both WW II and the Korean War receiving an honorable discharge in 1952. He was married to Lucy Ortiz in 1950 and they were blessed with almost 60 years together before her passing in May of 2010. He worked at the Santa Fe Shops while attending Washburn University under the GI Bill. He retired from Santa Fe and began working at Goodyear as a production supervisor. Pete left Goodyear to accept a position at RMF Industries in Kansas City. He worked at RMF for many years before finally retiring in December of 2012 at the age of 83. Pete and his wife Lucy were charter members of St. Matthew Catholic Church. He was also a member of Local Union #887 and American Legion Capitol Post #1. He enjoyed gardening, sports, reading and especially loved spending time with his grandchildren. Pete had a passion for life that was only exceeded by the love he felt for his family. He was a generous man not only with his family but also with his friends. He always took the time to listen (a lost art) and offer just the right response to encourage the conversation further. He was preceded in death by his wife, Lucy and his parents, Pedro and Juanita. He was also predeceased by his brothers, Lupe and Mike Padilla and Raymond Dominguez. He is survived by his children, Richard (Rosalie) Dominguez, Susan (Romualdo) Chavez, Darrell (Jo) Dominguez and siblings, Miguel (Tina) Guerrero, Eleanor Dominguez, Steve (Alice) Dominguez, Trini (Ricardo) Arzate, and John Dominguez and sisters-in-law, Lydia Dominguez and Rose Padilla. Additional survivors are his grandchildren, Jason (Amber) Dominguez, Ray Chavez, Michael (Sara) Chavez, Marcus Chavez, Broderick Dominguez, Isaac Dominguez, three great grandchildren, Trenton Grigsby and Gabriella Grigsby, Sofia Chavez and numerous in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Pete will lie in state after 2:00 p.m. on Monday at the Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home where a Parish Vigil Service will be held at 7:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Matthew Catholic Church at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 18, 2014. Interment will follow in Mt. Calvary Cemetery. Military honors will be provided by the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter #604. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Matthew Catholic Church, Midland Hospice Care, the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter #604 or the American Cancer Society sent in care of Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, 800 SW 6th Avenue, Topeka, Kansas 66603. Online condolences and fond memories may be left at www.brennanmathenafh.com.