Ray grew up in Detroit, Michigan where he was known as “Chicho” or “Cheech” with his friends and relatives. He moved to Washington State in early 1990’s to stay close with his sons. He then moved to Portland, Oregon to work in Skippers Restaurant as Assistant Manager. Between 1994 and 1997, He volunteered in Our House of Portland Hospice where he cooked and served meals to residents on a monthly basis. He also worked as a volunteer in Health Education for prevention of sexually transmitted diseases in collaboration of Project Quest Group and Cascade Aids Project in Portland. He pursued his continuing education and graduated in Mt Hood Community College in Gresham, OR with Associate of Applied Science Degree in Mental Health Counseling in 1996. He then took a job in Oregon Council for Hispanic Advancement (OCHA) a non-profit group, as family advocate for non native English speaking middle school students as they transitioned to school standards. While he was with OCHA, he served the following schools; Whitaker Middle School, Gregory Heights Middle School, Centennial Middle School. Ray or “Don Ramon” as he was known with school kids was so dedicated to the success of every student he supports; he had setup an after school program where he tutored the kids in school library on a subject that they trouble with.

Ray is a compassionate person, a well respected ‘maestro’ among Latino students in school where he served, a nature lover and unconditionally loved his family. In 2006, he retired from work and stayed at home in Gresham, OR. He attended to his seasonal garden and enjoyed his occasional travel. Ray also loved watching sports on TV. His favorite teams are Detroit Lions, Detroit Tigers, Detroit Pistons, University of Michigan sports team and Portland Trailblazer.

With continuous care of his Cardiologist, Ray had severe symptom of congestive heart failure until he got admitted to Providence Medical Hospital in early January 2018. He continuously battle with this symptom until he passed away comfortably and peacefully on January 21, 2018.  He was surrounded by the love of his family, sons and daughters.

Following his final requests; his body was cremated and sent to Detroit, Michigan for his final resting place.