Obituary for Ray Gonzales

On Sunday, June 21, 2020, Ray R. Gonzales, a loving husband and father of seven children, passed away surrounded by family at the age of 79. Ray was born on Nov. 13, 1940, in Tanque, Arizona, to Guadalupe and Rausara Rivera Gonzales. 

He married the love of his life, Cipriana Villalba, on Dec. 25, 1957, in Safford. They raised two sons, Steve and Zack, and five daughters, Gloria, Diane, Susan, Sandra, and Frannie. 

Ray had a passion for drag and dirt track racing, farming, and taking care of his animals. He was the hardest working man anyone knew. Ray started working in the cotton fields when he was only 7 years old and continued to work until he was 79. 

The love he had for his family was his greatest passion of all. He was the most selfless, warm-hearted, one-of-a-kind man. His dirty jokes would bring a smile to everyone’s face and fill the room with laughter, especially his grandsons.

Ray Gonzales

He is survived by his wife, Anna; their seven children, Gloria (Tony), Diane (Jim), Susan (Brew), Steve (Becky), Sandra (Russ), Frannie (Benny), and Zack (Krisha); his brothers, Conrad, Joe, Felix, and Lico; his sisters, Barbara and Lena; his grandchildren, Jolen (Jacob), Alicia, Krysti, Jamie (Tito), Joe, J.J.(Crystal), Cami (Martin), Dustin, A.J., Little Zack, Valerie (Wes), Chelsea, Vanessa (Jourdyn), Nala, Roman, Benjamin, Sonya, Kobe, Daniel, Franky, Ayden, Syriana, Rocsi, and Derek, and 31 great-grandchildren who were the apple of his eye. 

Ray was preceded in death by his parents, Guadalupe and Rausara; his in-laws, Camilo and Ramona; his grand-daughter, Malaia Torrio; his daughter, Gabby; his sisters, Francis, Angela, Cookie, and Lecha, and his brothers, Arturo, Bill, Frank, and Lupe. 

Private services were held Tuesday, June 30, at the St. Rose of Lima Church. Friends and family were welcomed after services at the Gonzales residence.

Arrangements were under the direction of McDougal’s Caldwell Funeral Chapel & Gila Valley Crematory.  Online condolences may be extended at www.caldwellfuneralchapel.com.