Ramon Garrobo Provencio, Jr., age 75, a resident of Pima, peacefully entered into eternal rest, at his home, with his family at his bedside on February 18, 2017.
Ramon was born in Thatcher on July 1, 1941, to Ramon Provencio, Sr. and Lucia Garrobo. Ramon’s work ethic was forged early in life as his father was a farm laborer and Ramon was often found at his side learning the ins and outs of work on the farm. When cotton season came, he was out helping his mother in the field chopping cotton and later picking it. Ramon was born and raised in humble surroundings with just as humble but, hard working parents. He has two siblings, an older sister, Janie P. Medina and a brother, Manuel Provencio, both of Safford.
Ramon attended Thatcher Schools and later in life he attended Eastern Arizona College for a year and a half. He worked at Ft. Grant Industrial School for boys early in his marriage, then later worked as a heavy duty mechanic for Phelps Dodge Mining Corporation for 32 years.
Ramon met his wife, Sylvia Rodela Reyes, while both were in high school. They dated off and on for two and half years. They were married civilly on September 10, 1960, by Bishop Gordon Stowell, of Thatcher, then on October 18, 1963, they were sealed for eternity in the Mesa Temple.
Ramon and Sylvia were blessed with four children, Raymond (Pamela), Rebecca (Joshua), Pablo (Kathy) and Reuben (Kimberly) and a Navajo placement student which they count as a daughter, Marilyn Begay. Ramon lost his father at the early age of 10 years old so he was very committed to being the best father he could be to his own children and made sure his wife and children were first in all he chose to do. They knew without any doubt that he loved them unconditionally.
Ramon was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and fulfilled many callings during his lifetime. He served a stake mission while residing in Morenci and recounted what a happy and fulfilling time that had been in his life. Ramon and Sylvia also served in the Spanish Branch in the Safford area and enjoyed hearing the gospel and singing in their native tongue. They served for several years before returning to Pima.
Ramon is survived by: his wife, Sylvia; a daughter, Rebecca, three sons, Raymond, Pablo and Rueben; sixteen grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Ramon was preceded in death by: his parents, Ramon and Lucia; his grandparents, Rita, Francisca, Juan and Antonio; a granddaughter, Elisa; and other loved family members.
Dad, your descendants love and honor you and are determined to live in a way so that we may be reunited with you some day. We are so grateful and honored that you are our father and grandfather and have known your unconditional love and encouragement.
Funeral services for Ray will be conducted Thursday morning, February 16, 2017, at 11:00 a.m., at the Pima L.D.S. Stake Center by Bishop Newel Knight of the Pima Second Ward. Concluding services with military honors conferred by the Gila Valley Veterans Honor Guard will follow in the Pima Cemetery.
The family will receive friends Thursday morning from 10:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m., at the Pima L.D.S. Stake Center Relief Society Room.
Arrangements are entrusted to Vining Funeral Home.
