OBITUARY
Raymond Gonzalez
May 16, 1949 – February 9, 2021
Raymond was born on May 16, 1949 in Mission, Tx to Thomas and Manuela Gonzalez of Monterrey, Mexico and Mission, Texas. Raymond is survived by 5 children, Christina, Rosie, Stephanie, Raymond Jr, and Victoria; Numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren; And his wife, Pita. Raymond married Pita in Salinas, California on June 19, 1982. He also leaves behind 7 brothers, Roy, Ruben, Juan, Thomas, Danny, Jesse, and Joe; and 3 sisters, Espie, Rosa, and Rachel. Raymond retired in 2017 after 25 years of hard work in Fleet Maintenance. He maintained vehicles and equipment and made sure the City of Mission, Tx ran smoothly. Raymond loved road trips, was an avid golfer, keen fisherman, and dedicated welo who loved his family, especially his grandkids. Raymond will be missed immensely but never forgotten.
Services
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Rosary Service
Monday, February 22, 2021
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Visitation
Monday, February 22, 2021
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Funeral Service
Tuesday, February 23, 2021
Memories
Raymond Gonzalez
have a memory or condolence to add?
ADD A MEMORYPriscilla Gonzales
February 22, 2021
Hi grandpa Raymond. It’s sad of me to say that I do not have a picture memory of us two together. I did not get to grow up with you like I had wished I would have, but Im here to say that I’m glad that you lived a wonderful life. May you Rest In Peace. I’m sorry for your loved ones to lose you too soon.
Your grand-daughter and great-grand kids
Priscilla Gonzales
Xavier Ramirez
Adianna Ramirez
Mericelda Garcia
February 22, 2021
We only met Raymond when he came to live & work in Mission. Of course, he reconnected with our mom, Teresa Silva Limon, who also happened to be Raymond’s Madrina. My mom was so happy to see Raymond because he brought back so many memories. She & Tia Manuela, her cousin, had been close in their youth & their teen years. Mom and Tia Carmen (her sister) were soon able to visit with Tia Manuela & all her family in Mission. Mom visited often with Raymond & enjoyed his company for the short time she knew him.
Although we were not able to grow up with this wonderful family of Tia Manurla’s, we easily became good friends with Primo Raymond & Mary!
We have forever memories of a soft spoken, easy going Primo who frequently & lovingly spoke of his family! Rey, my husband, & I enjoyed visiting with Raymond & Mary in our home, at Prima Elva’s, & we shared Friday night outings when we would sometimes go to a restaurant for dinner & then to another restaurant for dessert! Once we drove to Brownsville to try out a restaurant he & Mary had read about, another day we drove to South Padre Island, where we sipped Margaritas by the water. Wonderful conversations, always! Of course, Raymond met my extended family of in-laws,(7 families) who also were saddened to hear of his passing, We all enjoyed his special ham recipe when he & Mary joined our 2 familiefor Thanksgiving dinner many times while they were here in Mission. He proudly shared one of the hams & others brought turkeys & ham. Lots of family, lots of good times!
Rey & I have shed our tears, we have prayed, and we know we have many memories of the good times, & the difficult times, because when mom passed, Raymond came home from a company meeting to be with us at the hospital. How could I possibly make this a short comment? We knew him for only a few years, yet his impact in our lives, once we knew him, certainly made Forever Memories in our hearts.
Rest In Peace, dear Primo. We loved you as we love your Mary.
Anita Lugo
February 18, 2021
My Uncle Raymond was the best at making our Thanksgiving ham, not to mention his bbq. I remember arriving at their house and walking into kitchen seeing him cutting the ham. I’d say, “hi Uncle Raymond, how are are you doing?” His responses would be, “ why, and who wants to know?” I’d tell him; he sounds guilty already, and he’d laugh. I admire him for many things but, above all, his priority and love for family. Although he wasn’t a man of many words, everyone knew that if they messed with us; they’d messed with him. We were looking forward to him coming down for his Texas visit, but God had different plans. There are no words to express my brokenness but only through tears, expressing how much I miss him and love him. We had prayed for healing. God not only healed him but He also set him free. He who the Son sets free is free indeed. Luv u my Tio💕
Yesenia Lugo
February 18, 2021
Yesenia Lugo
February 18, 2021
We were bless to share many memories with you uncle Raymond. I hope you are doing what you love in heaven... endless games of gulf & fishing.
We will deeply miss you and remember they good times we shared with you.
Rachel & Art Fernando
February 17, 2021
Rachel & Art Fernando
February 17, 2021
“Those we love and lose are always connected by heartstrings into infinity.”
Sara Marinelli
February 17, 2021
Some of my favorite childhood memories are those spent at Uncle Raymond and Tia Pita’s house in Salinas with our families.
But, I genuinely loved my time spent in Texas with them. I always felt safe and taken care of like I was their own. Our drives to work, weekends in Grand Prairie or just spending time at home are all great memories I will always treasure. They were always there for me!
Uncle Raymond was a man of few words, but his loyalty and love for his family didn’t need words. He was a special person in our families lives and he will always be remembered!
I look forward to the time when we no longer have to see our loved ones suffer from disease, sickness and death. Revelation 21:3-4
Jaime Acevedo
February 17, 2021
I was saddened by the recent news of Raymond’s passing. I had the honor of knowing Raymond while working for the City of Mission. Raymond and I had several things in common. We both liked to play golf and fish but the biggest similarity was that Raymond and I ended up back in Mission Texas after growing up much of our lives in California. He in Modesto/Salinas and myself in Gilroy. I had the honor of playing golf on several occasions with Raymond at Shary Municipal Golf Course. I remember he would always talk about retirement and returning back to his beloved California. While he was considered family in the community of Mission his real family was in California. His eyes would light up when he would talk about retirement and going back to be with junior and his daughters. I was saddened when he retired because I knew I wouldn’t see him again but happy for him because he was finally going home. RIP Raymond and maybe we will met up someday on the fairways in Heaven!
Jaime Acevedo
Anita Porcello
February 16, 2021
When I think of Uncle Raymond, many fond memories fill my mind. My earliest memories are from the years that He & Tia Pita lived in Salinas while I was in elementary school. Along with my parents, we would spend hours at Uncle Raymond & Tia Pita's house; normally on weekends and holidays and my sister and I after school sometimes. Uncle Raymond would pick us up in his powder blue VW Bug. And, I never quite realized it back then, but Uncle Raymond was so "COOL!" We would hang out at their house and have dinner and me, my sister, Baby Raymond (as he was known back then), and Tori would all run around outside until the sun went down and we headed home to Soledad.
Then, they broke our hearts and moved to Texas. We were devastated because spending time with Uncle Raymond & Tia Pita had become such an integral part of our daily routine. And Mom would no longer have her brother just a short drive away.
Although I only visited them a few times in Texas, I loved every minute of it! We were so overjoyed when they came back to California after Uncle Raymond's retirement. Once they were back I was able to have them to my house for BBQ's and they would even make a trip to Salinas during the holidays to watch my daughters dance in the Nutcracker. My Dad, Uncle Raymond, and My Husband also enjoyed playing golf together.
The time I spent with Uncle Raymond was always so enjoyable.
He was the most easy going, hard working, loyal man. I don't have a single memory of him being angry or mad. And the devotion he had to his family was a quality to admire.
Uncle Raymond, although I will not be able to see you, your spirit will be with me always. I Love You.
Your Niece,
Anita
Olgia Mendoza
February 16, 2021
Thank you Tio for always looking out for me like I was one of your daughters. There are many great things I can say about you, but for now I’ll just say how much I love and respected you. I appreciate everything you taught me during the time I lived with you guys. I’m heartbroken you’re no longer here and will miss you very much, but I’m so grateful for every memory I have. Rest In Peace Tio. I love you. Until we meet again... Olgia
Beatrice (Pretas) Hayhurst
February 16, 2021
Tio Raymond you definitely will be missed. One of my favorite memories of my Tio is when we met up in San Diego. We were there for Brianna's track meet and my Tio Paulo, Tia Aurora, Tio Raymond, Tia Pita and the grandkids met up with us and we ate at Tio's favorite place Joe's Crab Shack. I love that memory...R.I.P. Tio!💕😪
Sabrina Flores
February 16, 2021
My Tio Raymond was a man of few words and quite an intimidating man but once he smiled he turned into this whole other man and you saw this bright shining side of him. I’ll always remember him as a man who got down behind the grill, although I wasn’t always blessed with the opportunity to eat his cooking, I got to hear the brags from others but when I finally did oh my gosh it was all that they said and more! I thank you Tio Raymond for showing me what it means fight and never give up. As sad as I am that you are no longer here I rejoice in the fact that you are up in Heaven, pain free, and have the best view there is. Don’t worry about the family Tio we’ve got them and we’ll constantly remind RG3, Santi, and the rest of the family how loved and protected they are by their new special guardian angel. Until we meet again, I love you Tio Raymond!
Katarina Flores
February 16, 2021
I’ll always remember my Tio Raymond coming down to Cali (before he moved here) and calling me “boss” every time we’d see each other because after he retired he said I’d get him a job with me. That’s how he greeted me even after he was already settled here, “Hey boss”, he’d say and give me a big hug. That’d always make me feel special; that my uncle gave me my own nickname that only he called me.
Tio Raymond had a presence about him- he was strong, sincere, and had some of the kindest eyes I’ve ever seen. That’s how I’ll remember him. I’ll remember him dancing with my Tia, and hearing him talk about the newest restaurant he went to with my Tio Juan. My Tio Raymond was fun and always down for a good time. And now he’s having the time of his life in Heaven. “With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day” we’ll see you again in no time Tio. I love you.
Love,
Katarina
Paloma Infante
February 16, 2021
Moving to Texas was really hard because we were so used to having family so close to us like how it was in Modesto. Tia Pita, Tio Raymond, Tio Neto, and Tia Irma all welcomed us with open arms and helped with the move. I remember Tia Pita and Tio Raymond would take Azalea and I to Dallas, and we would go to the library and Tio Raymond would just listen to us read and butcher everything, but he always had the biggest smile on his face while we did. Then we would go to IHOP and we would take the creamers and ask for more while we snuck them in Tia Pitas purse because that’s what Wela did. Since we were so far from our own grandparents, my Tios and Tias in Texas were like a second set. My heart aches, but his memory lasts forever. Thank you Tio for providing unconditional love.
Until we see each other again,
Paloma Infante
Esmer Lara
February 16, 2021
Adriana Harakh
February 16, 2021
My Tio was a fighter. He was quiet but he was watching and listening. I remember at my 30th birthday party, when there was a little bit of chaos happening, he was quiet and uninvolved, but as soon as he thought someone said something about him, he was ready to fight. It makes me laugh that he didn’t care about his age. But that fight that I saw in him that night is what I know he used to fight until the very end.
I can only imagine how beautiful and happy he is with all those he joined in Heaven. He’s playing golf and making brisket with Jesus and all of our family.
Until we see you again, I love you Tio.
Love,
Nana
UBO INFANTE
February 16, 2021
One of the things that I am grateful for is that my own children get to grow up with and love the same Tio's and Tia's that I grew up loving. I used to be scared of my Tio Raymond when I was a kid but I loved him and respected him. I was only scared of him though because I use to make Baby Raymond cry and then would get scared that I'd be in trouble with my Tio Raymond. When I got older and moved to Texas I looked forward to his and my Tia Pita's visits because they would stay with me at my house and were like another set of grandparents to my kids. After my Tio passed my oldest daughters shared with me that impression of him because it felt like grandparents coming to visit and spending precious time with them. So I think that is a wonderful feeling that my kids too got to know and love my Tio Raymond the way I did as well. Gone but never forgotten. I love you Tio.
Leticia Infante
February 16, 2021
Leticia Infante
February 16, 2021
Leticia Infante
February 15, 2021
Words cannot describe what my Tio meant to me but I can honestly say he had me at "hello" cause soon thereafter he was taking us (all of us cousins) to Dairy Queen to order "whatever we wanted" and then off to the park. From that day forward my Tio left an imprint in my heart and became one of the few staple male figures in my life.
For me my Tio was a man whose strength carried and protected his family, a man who adored his family, a man who embraced life (especially retirement life), a man who loved being a grandpa and a man who showed my Tia a love that most of us wait a lifetime for.
"Tio, you fought hard and fought a good fight which honestly doesn't surprise me because that's who you are. Tio you will forever be missed and thank you for always being there for me!
Until me we meet again! I LOVE YOU!"
Your favorite Copper,
Leticia