He was married to Diana Gutierrez Pantoja on December 17, 2005.
At the age of 18, Raymond hitchhiked to Mexico City to become a bullfighter, he was injured, was deported back to the United States. Raymond enlisted in the United States Army, did three tours in Vietnam as a paratrooper in the 173rd Airborne Brigade.
He worked in Las Cruces, New Mexico as a fireman for four years and in law enforcement as a patrolman, detective and narcotic agent for 31 years. After his retirement he moved to San Antonio, Texas and worked for the federal marshals as a court security officer for 17 years. For the last 7 years, Raymond lived in Corpus Christi, Texas.
Raymond's family would like to thank the nurses on the 6th floor at Spohn Hospital for all their love and compassion for my husband. Thanks to Opus Care, Debbie Guerra and Melissa Ramirez for all their help. And special thanks to my sister, Velma Gutierrez, for loving and caring for Butch. There was nothing that he needed that she didn't go get him. Every time Velma visited him, she would bring him his favorite treats.
Raymond was preceded in death by his aunt/mother, Cecilia Zapien.
He is survived by his spouse, Diana Gutierrrez Pantoja; daughters, Christina Pantoja, Cristalle Pantoja and Barbara Nunez; son, Rey Pantoja Jr.; grandchild, Ellie Chavez; brother, Eddie Zapien; step-children, DeeAnna Hiesler, Rudy Rodriguez; and step-grandchildren, Michael Hiesler and Jaden Deleon.
Visitation for Raymond will be held Wednesday, January 29, 2020 from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Memory Gardens Funeral Home with a Holy Rosary to be held at 7:00 PM. Funeral Mass will occur Thursday, January 30, 2020 at 11:30 AM at Holy Family Catholic Church. Interment will follow at 1:00 PM at Coastal Bend State Veterans Cemetery, 9974 IH37 Access Road, Corpus Christi, Texas 78410.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MemoryGardensFuneralHome.com for the Pantoja family.
