Rafael Ramon Ojeda

Ralph called the San Jacinto Valley home his entire life. His parents, Daniel and Teresa Ojeda, welcomed him into their growing family on September 18, 1950.

Beneath the familiar shadow of North Mountain, Ralph built a life rooted in family, hard work, humor, and unwavering devotion to the people he loved. Deeply connected to the San Jacinto community, all five Ojeda siblings proudly graduated from San Jacinto High School.

Throughout the years, many Sundays and important Ojeda family milestones were shared at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church.

Ralph shared 58 years of marriage with his high school sweetheart and devoted wife, Trica. Together they raised two daughters and two sons in the San Jacinto community they loved, and all four proudly graduated from San Jacinto High School. They built a life centered around loyalty, laughter, resilience, and a love that remained steadfast through every chapter of life.

In his 75 years, Ralph was cherished as a husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. He had been joyfully anticipating becoming a great-grandfather, a role he would have embraced with pride, humor, and endless love.

His “Ojeda” smile was as bright and unforgettable as his mind, and his wit was as sharp as his tongue. He taught those around him how to move through life with strength, integrity, humor, and fierce devotion to family. He leaves behind a lifetime of memories woven through family gatherings, storytelling, laughter, and traditions that will continue for generations.

Ralph was also known for his incredible work ethic. For decades, he worked two and sometimes even three jobs at once, doing whatever it took to provide for his family and make sure they were cared for. Long hours, exhaustion, and sacrifice never stopped him because the people he loved were always worth the effort. Providing for his family was not simply a responsibility for Ralph, it was one of the greatest sources of pride in his life.

Before beginning his 31-year career with the Metropolitan Water District, Ralph spent years driving school buses for the San Jacinto Unified School District and Mt. San Jacinto College. Students loved him for his quick wit, humor, and larger-than-life personality, and many still remembered him fondly long after their school days had

passed. He later carried that same dedication and dependability into his decades of service at the Metropolitan Water District.

Ralph is lovingly survived by his children, Trisha and Wil Ochoa, Laura and Edward Diaz, Rafael and Merci Ojeda, and Richard and Belen Ojeda. He also leaves behind his ten grandchildren, Roman, Andrew, Gabriel, Lauren, Vincent, Ava, Meadow, Ruby, Oliver, and River, all of whom brought immense pride and joy to his life.

He is survived by his sisters, Teresa (Ojeda) Lilly and Art Lilly, and Jane (Ojeda) Cowles and Randy Cowles.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Kathy (Ojeda) Brais, who shared her life with Paul Brais, and his brother, Guadalupe Daniel Ojeda, beloved husband of Gilda Ojeda.

Ralph also leaves behind 13 beloved nieces and nephews, many of whom shared a lifetime of memories, laughter, and family traditions with him.