Armand Victor Gheza

Vic was born in California in 1933, spending his early years growing up in the Sierra Nevada mountains. He made his dedication to serve the creator, Jehovah God (Revelation 4:11), in 1946 and was baptized in the Tuolumne River. Being an avid reader and gifted student, he finished high school at 15 and soon thereafter he attended the International Convention of Jehovah’s Witnesses in New York City.

After that experience, he abandoned his plans to take advantage of a scholarship to pursue law as his father had hoped or follow his own dream of becoming a history professor and instead went on to regular pioneer for the next five years. During that time, he was out on his own, helping small congregations become better established and sharing in the ministry with them. In those first years, his bicycle was his primary means of transportation. He began working part time for PG&E and was reassigned to San Luis Obispo in 1952.

Walking into the San Luis Obispo Kingdom Hall for the first time, his life was about to be forever changed by a beautiful young sister named Wilma Jenkins who caught his eye. From there on out, he and Wilma enjoyed over seven happy decades together, with three children, five grandchildren, two great grandchildren, and one great great grand child who filled their lives with love. Through it all, he stayed spiritually strong, working hard as an elder, congregation servant, presiding overseer, substitute circuit overseer, and COBE. He worked hard running a business, provided generously for his wife and children, and spent countless hours teaching publicly, shepherding, and helping others in any way he could.

It was only a massive heart attack and stroke that finally slowed him down in the last years of his life. Thanks to his loving family, helpful nurses, compassionate Hospice staff, and amazing caregivers Carole McCoy, Cheryl Meuser, and Angelique Avant, he enjoyed the best possible quality of life until the very end. After having lived in San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Carmel, and finally the Santa Ynez Valley, he fell into the big sleep on March 5, 2023 at the age of 89.

Vic's faith remained strong to the very end, with his hope clearly in the resurrection described in God's word. He looked forward to the prospect of living eternally under God‘s kingdom on the earth, where life will be as Jehovah originally intended it - free from pain, anxiety, worry, and poor health (Revelation 21:4). We all look forward to being with him again in the future when those who have passed away will be brought back to life and have the joy of reconnecting with their family and friends.

Warmly,

The Gheza Family

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