He is survived by his children, grandchildren, sisters, nieces and nephews.
Rafael left school at a very young age to work, lived briefly in Mexico City and then immigrated to the United States in the early 1970s. He worked as a machine operator in Houston's east end for 13 years.
Later in his life, he was able to open up his very own automotive business, which he successfully owned and operated for 14 years. He enjoyed being able to make his own business decisions, meeting new people, and learning new skills. As an immigrant who faced a language barrier and had a limited formal education, Rafael wanted to set an example for others like him. He thought they could accomplish their goals through hard work.
He wanted for his children and grandchildren to be proud of him. Rafael wanted them to know it is important to have goals in life and to never give up on them.
