Rafael Lopez Ayala

Loving family and friends supported him as he braved a difficult surgery. He demonstrated an enormous amount of courage and love throughout his transition from this life to his life after life. There he awaits his wife, Elida Escamilla Ayala, his son R. Robert Ayala & wife Kim Kissinger-Ayala, his son Daniel Dominic Ayala & wife Maryann Ayala, his son Sergio Javier Ayala, his daughter Cynthia Adrianna Ayala & husband Da'Mon Stith, and his 11 grandchildren: Benjamin Ayala, Sebastian Ayala; Aubriana Celeste Lutz & husband Tyler Weston Lutz, Eliana Inez Ayala, Stephen Longoria, Shannon Longoria; Olivia Ayala-Scharf, Carys Ayala; Apollonia Anas Ayala-Ferrante, and Xchitl Idris Ayala-Stith.

Ralph was born in Campbellton, Texas to Aurelio Ayala and Sara Lopez Ayala on October 24, 1944, the youngest of six boys. He joins his brothers Aurelio Ayala, Willie Ayala, Francisco Ayala, Carlos Ayala, and Albert Ayala.

He and his brothers found themselves in the middle of many an adventure, looking for whatever mischief they could find in the roads and creeks that surrounded their childhood home.

After attending school in Campbellton and Pleasanton, Ralph decided to attend Jourdanton High School, where he met his high school sweetheart and future wife, Elida. They were a dynamic duo of brains, beauty and brawn; Ralph a talented baseball player and Elida a well-read cheerleader. After a few years of courting, they married on June 26, 1965.

Together they raised four children in Jourdanton, Texas, attending many basketball games, football games, track meets, and band recitals. After their kids left home to start their own adventures, Ralph and Elida moved to Somerset, Texas where Ralph began to build a new home for his growing family.

Ralph had a dynamic personality and life of service that touched so many lives in so many ways. To his four children he was Dad and to his 10 grandchildren, he was Grandpa.

Together, he and his wife, Elida, filled their lives with a rich balance of work and play and a warm place to call home.a place where their children and grandchildren knew a hot plate of fideo would be waiting for them, a place where many memories were made, and a place where his presence continues to be felt.

As a father, he set a high standard for success as well as shared his love for the outdoors by taking his kids fishing, hunting and camping. As a grandfather, he had a way of making each grandchild feel like they were special, whether it be performing a private magic show, serenading a song on his guitar, or adding an extra slice of bacon on their breakfast plate.

To others who knew him, Ralph was creative, innovative, athletic, artistic and charismatic. Not only did he bring light and laughter to a room, often times that very room was one he built with his own hands.

He was always willing to help those in need, whether helping an insurance client get home after an accident or providing friends and family with home repairs.

Throughout his years he was known to pick up a guitar, throw a mean curve ball, catch a red drum fish, and dance a graceful waltz. It should not go unsaid that much of his life encompassed developing strong relationships while building his insurance agency of loyal clientele who appreciated his way of making them feel like family.

Nothing made him prouder than to know that many of these talents, charms and passions of his were passed onto his children and grandchildren, often sharing with others their endeavors and accomplishments. It is now time that we, as a community of friends and family, do the same and take pride in having had the honor of knowing someone who has made it so hard to say goodbye.

His family would like to thank him for gifting them his life filled with love, strength, and laughter. Additionally, the family would like to thank all for shared memories, kind words, prayers, support and meals. Be encouraged that Ralph is receiving your love.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, February 19th from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM with a service at 10:00 AM in the Porter Loring Chapel, 1101 McCullough Ave.

Interment will follow at San Jose Cemetery at La Parita Rd, in Jourdanton, TX.