Raymond Jack Lantz

Born in Los Angeles, California to Jack and Pauline Lantz, Ray was the eldest of nine children. His father was a professional musician and owned a ballroom in Huntington Park, CA where Ray spent many hours and developed a lifelong love of Big Band and Dixieland Jazz Music. Ray lost his father when he was just 16-years-old, and had to take on the added responsibility of taking care of his younger siblings and helping support the family. A veteran of the Korean War, Ray joined the Army Reserve in 1954, completing basic training at Fort Ord, California and spent most of his enlistment as a heavy truck driver in the 571st Engineering Company, in South Korea as the war was winding down. After his discharge from the Army Reserve in February of 1956, Ray joined the Inglewood Fire Department where he served for 12 years as a firefighter before leaving the department in 1971 to act as Vice President of Wilhelm Machine of Los Angeles, where he worked until his retirement in 1997.

Ray met and married the love of his life, Sonja Wester, in 1960, and together they raised four children. In addition to his love of music, Raymond loved to camp in his RV and play golf. He spent vacations and holidays with his family and friends, and taking trips in the RV to favorite spots like 1000 Palms in the Desert, and San Diego, as well as seeking out new adventures. He and Sonja also loved taking trips to Las Vegas and Morro Bay with friends, as well as regular trips to Sonja’s hometown of Corry, PA. After retiring from Wilhelm Machine in 1997, He and Sonja moved to Cherry Valley, California where they spent time with friends camping, socializing and golfing, golfing, golfing, as well as presiding over family gatherings with their children, their spouses and their nine grandchildren. In 2015, Ray and Sonja moved to Clovis, California to be closer to family as his illness progressed. His wife, Sonja, with the help of some amazing caregivers, and support from children and grandchildren, made sure he was well fed and taken care of. He was lucky enough to spend his final months and days at home surrounded by people that loved him.

In all of his life, Ray made it a point to never gossip or say a bad word about anyone. His sense of humor and ability to find fun in any situation made him the envy of his children’s friends, a favorite uncle and a valued friend. Although his illness had robbed him of the ability to speak and make his body move as he wished, he never complained and never lost his ability to smile. We know he is now free from his earthly body and enjoying a scotch with his brothers and friends who have gone before, while keeping tabs on those still living. He will be remembered, missed and loved forever.

Ray is survived by his wife, Sonja Lantz, children, Beth Lantz Green, Julie Lantz Perez, Kristen Lantz and Kurt Lantz, and grandchildren, Kendall Perez, Kaelyn Green, Ryan Green, Rebecca Lantz, Alec Perez, Raymond John (RJ) Lantz, Brielle Perez, Ariel and Zachary Lantz-Loza. Ray is also survived by sisters, Jacquie Lantz, Pam Lantz Frank, Dannae Mills Howe, Paulette Mills, and brother Tracy Mills, as well as many nieces, nephews and loving friends.