Dorothy Ann Barnes Gomm

Dorothy Ann Barnes Gomm, 75, beloved wife, mother and grandmother, passed away in Logan, Utah Saturday October 22, 2011. She was born March 30, 1936 in Arco, Idaho to Alfred Emory Barnes and Dorothy Tracy, the seventh of nine children. At the age of 10, she worked alongside her brothers in the potato fields and drove while her brothers loaded the sacks. She traveled with the family custom combining operation as they worked from Tremonton back to Arco, working alongside her mother as they supported her father and brothers. She enjoyed being with friends and cousins, and organized most of their social activities. While in High School, she met her eternal companion, Fred Bryant Gomm. Shortly after their meeting he was drafted into the Army. The two corresponded regularly, and upon his return, she greeted him with a hug rather than a handshake. They soon became engaged and were married for time and eternity July 29, 1953 in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple. Bryant's new career took them to Bozeman, Montana, and within a few years their family had three new additions: Debra Ann, Michael, and James. While there she served as Stake Camp Director. A work transfer sent them to Flagstaff, Arizona in 1963, where their fourth and youngest child, Susan, was born. Dorothy Ann's church service there included Relief Society President, Den Mother and Guide Patrol leader. The family moved again when Bryant returned to Logan to pursue a doctorate degree. Dorothy Ann served as Relief Society President in their married student ward, with the rest of the family in college, high school, junior high, and elementary school. Another transfer in 1971 took the family to Burns, Oregon where Dorothy Ann kept her four teenagers on track as they completed junior high and high school, sending three of them on to college, church missions and marriage. In 1978, Bryant, Dorothy Ann and Susan moved back to Logan where she saw Susan finish high school and leave for college. During this time, Dorothy Ann began working as a secretary in the USU Speech Therapy department where she quickly learned word processing. This led to starting a typing service for post-graduate research papers, and she found the subjects very interesting. Church and family was the focus of Dorothy Ann's life. She loved serving and seeing the gospel of Jesus Christ enrich lives. She capably served and enjoyed working with others in her many ward and stake positions. She saw great value in family reunions and get-togethers, and spent many hours organizing family directories. After Bryant retired in 1984, and with Dorothy Ann designing, they worked together to rebuild and renovate the structures on the Gomm family's old homestead south of Smoot, Wyoming. For the next 25 years they rented out the ranch, hosting gatherings for many families. Dorothy Ann loved the opportunity of sharing this special place where others could strengthen their family ties. During the winters, they returned to Logan where she was active in temple work, name extraction and family history. In 2000-2001 they served a 12-month church mission to Nauvoo, Illinois, where she was secretary to the general manager of Nauvoo Restoration Inc., interacting regularly with General Authorities in Salt Lake City. As someone who appreciated both family and history, Dorothy Ann greatly loved her time in Nauvoo. She is survived by F. Bryant Gomm, her husband and companion of 58 years; four children, Debra Ann Rex Saunders, Michael Kathy Gomm, James Pat Gomm, and Susan John Kertesz; 21 grandchildren and 38 great-grandchildren; five siblings, Arlin, Ruth, Eldon, Ted, and Vern. She was preceded in death by her parents, a sister, LouJean; and two brothers, Austin and Byron. Viewing will be in Logan at Nelson Funeral Home, 162 E. 400 N. Friday Oct. 28, 6 to 8 p.m. Funeral services will be Saturday Oct. 29, 10:30 a.m. in the Logan East Stake Center, 1450 E. 1500 N., with a viewing prior to the service from 9 to 10 a.m. Interment will be at Smoot, WY Cemetery. Condolences and memories maya e shared with family at www.nelsonfuneralhome.com