Raymond Tenorio Ramirez

Ray was born in Fresno on April 27, 1947, to Ramon and Concepcion Ramirez. He entered into his next phase of life to eternal peace on September 19, 2011, at age 64.

He attended Fig Garden Area Schools, Bullard High School, Fresno City College, Fresno State, and earned his Master’s in Business Administration at UCLA in 1974. Many would say he was the hardest working person they knew; not only at employment but at school, sports, and friendships. He learned his work ethics from his parents and as a field worker at a very early age. Entering kindergarten speaking only Spanish, he knew he had to study hard to succeed. During his senior year at Bullard High School he realized he had the skills to play baseball and made the varsity team. Because he threw the baseball like a rocket, he was nick named “Rocket Ray”. He was proud of the fact that Bob Bennett, Bullard’s baseball coach, took an interest in him and his baseball abilities. Realizing he was not going to be a professional baseball player, Ray concentrated on achieving a college education. He continued to stay involved in sports by playing on men’s fast pitch softball teams and coaching family member on women’s fast pitch teams along with his brothers. Later in life he taught his sons about baseball and coached them in the Central Babe Ruth program. He also taught them “about the Good Book of the San Francisco Giants”. They enjoyed watching the Giants become the 2010 World Series Champions. He was also a great fan of the 49er’s and Lakers. In his younger days, he played basketball and was a fantastic soccer goalie for an over 30’s team.

After graduating from UCLA , he worked as a Cost Accounting Manager and then dedicated 32 years of service to the County of Fresno Public Works Department as a Principal & Staff Analyst providing hours of above and beyond service. He served as president of the Latin American Businessmen’s Club of Fresno in 1990 and was a partner in Ramirez Fig Company. He proudly served in the California National Guard from 1970 to 1978. His love for music and dancing was a great part of his life.

He is survived by his parents, wife Judith, son Ronald, daughter Rachel, son Raymond and his family Nicole, Marissa, Edmond, Nicolas, granddaughter Raynie Grace Ramirez, brothers Robert and his wife Gloria, Frank and his wife Teresa, sisters; Yolanda Hernandez and her husband David, Josie Almeida, many sister and brother in-laws, nieces, and nephews.

He had a heart of gold.