His nickname was Ray which everyone called him but his mom. To his mother he was known as Monchi. He was also known as “the Lawyer “because he could talk his way out of most situations. Of course my mom called him Honey or lately we called him Viejo. For which his response was “ tus calzones.” I loved that and miss hearing that very much cause I called him that too.
His greatest pastimes as a kid and an adult was sports. He enjoyed basketball, baseball and football. His favorite teams were the Lakers, Dodgers and Niners. He enjoyed collecting baseball cards.
Dad took me to my first baseball game at the Dodgers stadium where I got a dodger dog. I didn't understand the game very well but for me it was time spent with my dad.
Since we had moved to Orange county in the mid 90’s we transitioned to the Angels. Our last game together was the Angels game on his birthday. We found a baseball at the end of the game. He gave it to me to keep as a memory of our daddy daughter date.
As I was growing up he would help couch my basketball and softball teams directing us to what we can do to improve.
My dad was never able to attend my games because it was too early in the day but his coaching made up for it. I wasn't sad that he missed them. I was grateful for his guidance.
He enjoyed taking his grandkids to baseball games to share in his love for the game and just to spend time with them.
As a young man he worked at a turkey/poultry farm to help provide food and goodies for his family. He was very selfless, always willing to give his brothers and sisters what they needed. If they needed money for a field trip he would give it or a toy he would share or just give it. He would always have candy, pumpkin or sunflower seeds in his pockets. His brothers and sisters enjoyed that and so did my kids and I.
According to his sisters he would give them candy to keep them quiet so he wouldn't get in trouble for not going to catechism.
One day he came home after coaching a basketball game all beaten up by the opposing team. His older brother heard what happened and made sure he was never touched again. They had each other's backs.
After graduating high school he enlisted into the army. He was a Specialist 4th class in the Quartermaster Corps., logistics branch and stationed at Fort Hood, TX once training was complete. He obtained a National Defense Service Medal as a sharpshooter with a rifle. He trained for quartermaster at Fort Lee, VA for stock control and accounting specialist.
My father has been very patriotic my entire life. I remember growing up when the wall of fallen service men and women would come to Knotts he would cry for a friend that had died during his time of service. He proudly hung the American flag in his yard, and on his cars.
My dad met his wife at a cannery where they both worked at. He was drawn to her not because of her looks but because of a light and way of being. She had a calm spirit about her that he wanted to know more about. My mother was in no way interested and in her words “He wore me down.”
They were married by the justice of the peace in Ontario California January 4, 1974. Guess he did a good job at wearing her down. Then May 18, 1974 they married in Orosi California in a small church where my mother's father surprised her to walk her down the isle.
A rambunctious daughter came soon after.
They also lovingly adopted 3 girls when a beloved friend passed away. All four of us girls gave them a total of 12 grandchildren.
With mom he loved to take her out on day drives anywhere but their favorite place was going to solvang. Dad loved to take mom out to eat all types of food but preferably peruvian and mexican. He indulged her in her likes.
He enjoyed his kids and grandchildren. He would play horsey with them, he was the horse they rode his back.
He loved sharing his magic tricks and corny jokes. Our favorite joke being “pull my finger.”
He enjoyed attending Jonathans football and baseball games. I would say he was so proud to watch him play. I remember an occasion I was not able to attend Jonathans football game but my dad did. He ended up injuring himself, his knee. My dad called me and told me what happened but reassured me not to worry he was being taken care of.
He looked forward to attending Jessica and Christinas dance performances.
He enjoyed the times he was able to attend Davids basketball games.
He was proud of his grandchildren.
He enjoyed a good card game or just a family gathering. He enjoyed having us all around him.
For the next 46 years My parents dedicated their lives to serving others. They pastored a church in Hawaian Gardens, and Los angeles all while working full time jobs. They would house family members or church parishioners when housing was needed.
When they stopped pastoring they continued to minister to others, whether it be by the word of God, counseling, praying for and donating food to those in need.
Dad was always learning about God's word and enjoyed teaching others about what he had learned.
He has worked for The Christian company for over 35 years. It was a roofing company. He started out in Watts, CA and eventually came to the Orange, CA office. He enjoyed his job, his coworkers and the lunchera (lunch truck).
When he worked in the Watts office on a weekend dad was relaxing with his shirt off. I noticed a couple of cuts on his stomach. When I asked he said they were just some cuts. He didn't want to worry me but I knew better. I pressed him until he told me the truth. He told me they had been held up and somehow he got away. He ran and ran and jumped over fences until he felt safe. To me it was so amazing for him to have fought off these people and gotten away. The 2 others were fine as well.
His Covid journey started about June 30, 2020. He felt weak and in a lot of pain. He was tested for Covid on June 30th and resulted positive on july 10,2020. Although he was taken to urgent care several times his condition worsened. He had a fever for about 5 days June 30th - July 5th. At which point he started a cough that developed into shortness of breath. On July 12, 2020 his oxygen saturation was 62% at which point I told my mom to call 911. In a blink of an eye they took him. They kept him on 100% oxygen but my dad's lungs were completely infected and he had sepsis (blood infection). On the 4th day the doctors talked with him and he agreed to be intubated. My mom talked with him, prayed with him, they asked for forgiveness of any shortcomings and forgave each other and said they loved each other. I called my dad with my mom on the line, he said “ I can't anymore mija” I told him I loved him, mom said she loved him, we cried. That was the last time we talked. He never came out of it. His body couldn't handle the infection. The doctors and nurses did everything they could. He succumbed to his illness 8/3/2020 at 3 pm.
Although I know he is no longer suffering I will forever miss him as will my mother, sisters, and Grandchildren. He had an infectious laugh that is etched in my memory and in short videos of him.
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