Ray R. Gonzales

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 Nov. 13, 1940, in Tanque 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.

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 granddaughter, Malaia Torrio; his daughter, Gabby; his sisters, Francis, Angela, Cookie and Lecha; and his brothers, Arturo, Bill, Frank and Lupe.

Private services will be held Tuesday, June 30, 2020, at St. Rose of Lima Church. Friends and family are welcome after services at the Gonzales residence.

Arrangements are under the direction of McDougal’s Caldwell Funeral Chapel & Gila Valley Crematory.

Online condolences may be extended at www.caldwellfuneralchapel.com.

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