Grandpa I’m deeply saddened that you are not with us anymore. I’m definitely still processing and know that this saddening will continue to resurface as our old gathering times and holidays come up and you’re not there. It feels weird when I call grandma to not ask about you or not hear you yell through the phone “me too” in response to me telling you I love you during my routine calls to grandma.  You were a wonderful grandpa and great papa to our girls. They deeply miss their little papa. One of the things I’ll miss the most is your childlike innocence you had when you see cartoons, go places, or when you played with us grandkids or great grandkids. You got lost in whatever you did, attended to precision, and just soaked it all up. I’m glad we got to go on so many trips together. I also love how you always made it a fun time when me and Michael would spend the night cutting out things for us to make collages, playing board games, recording us movies to watch, taking us to rent a movie at Albertsons, letting me play beauty parlor on you, and many other special things. You were a great artist and I have kept everything you have made me. I wish you didn’t have to leave us the way you did...but you’re in the best place and I know you will always be looking down on us. I love you grandpa, you will be missed forever, and never be forgotten. Till we meet again Grandpa. 💙✝️☝🏽

There is a huge feeling of loss ,a void that can never be fully restored in my heart and in my world. I know it’s called life, the passing of generations but it’s more than that to me. Our family has always been there for each other no matter what, an unwavering commitment of love though we were not the type to verbalize what we all felt. Being raised in the military toughened  us to all the different situations that we had to face but we did so as a family. My Dad was a strong and determined man and made it his life’s  goal to give his family what he didn’t have and he succeeded, he laid the foundation and I am forever grateful. My Dad rose above  everything and became a success in life, a proud career Air Force man who was also a Vietnam Veteran. He was a devoted and loving husband, married to my mom Catalina for 67 years.  Not that he needed any proof of his love and commitment to our mom, but for the last 20 years he has taken phenomenal  above and beyond care of my mom after her liver transplant. 

I have a lifetime of memories to cherish, the ones that are the fondest are those when we used to take my parents on trips to the coast or amusement  parks. My Dad was able to enjoy things that he didn’t have as a child and to watch him soak up every moment touched my heart. I was glad to be able to share those times with my parents and our family. The backyard barbecues and watching my dad enjoying his grandchildren and great grandchildren will remain with me always. You were a true man in every sense of the word “Pop”,  you did things your way always with the best intentions. You provided everything that will need to be successful in life and I have learned a lot and continue to learn painfully with your passing but it will make me a better person. Enjoy Heaven Dad because you deserve it, watch over us until we are able to be together again. I will love and miss you always Dad.

Your loving son, Ralph M. Del Real Jr.

I think what I'll miss the most is grandpa calling me, "Thumper." Never Drew, always Thumper. I remember when we used to go outside and have a water day, or, play croquet, or the days he'd set up a target on the tree in the backyard and let me fire the BB gun. Moving into the house he'd have a big bucket of toy soldiers and a big wood slab, where I could setup mock fights and battles; electric racing cars, and hotwheels, the list goes on. Grandpa's house had everything a kid could ever want. I look back fondly on those days.

My grandpa loved food, cowboys, cartoons, and planes, but most of all he loved us, his family. My grandpa was the greatest man in the world, and I thank God for the 22 years I got to spend with him. Until we see each other again, Grandpa.

Love,
THUMPER

I will forever miss the man who took over as my father at the time of my own father's passing.  Ralph was a great man who was always so very genuine and kind.  I will miss the days of making him his favorite foods like BBQ ribs, spaghetti, lasagna and enchiladas.  He never could wait until it was time to eat and he would sneak sample bites until dinner was served!  Dad also had a great sense of humor and he loved going to the casinos.  I know that dad is looking down on his family with great pride and will watch over all of us until we see him again in the Kingdom of Heaven.    

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Catalina Del Real

Ralph Michael Del Real, Jr. (Marlene)

Andrew Patrick Del Real, Sr. (Wendy)

Ralph Michael Del Real, III

Stephanie Arteaga (Robert)

Andrew Patrick Del Real, Jr.

Aunika Del Real

Trinity Del Real

Nathaniel Del Real

Elliana Arteaga

Ariella Arteaga

Alfred Del Real

Delores Sanchez

Helen Romero

Harold Del Real (Martha)

Boice Funeral Home

Ralph Michael Del Real, Jr

Ralph Michael Del Real , III

Andrew Patrick  Del Real, Sr

Andrew (Thumper) Del Real, Jr

Robert Arteaga

Martin Veloz

Ralph Del Real

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Ralph Michael Del Real Sr.

24 October, 1932 – 21 July, 2020

Boice Funeral Home

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