Raoul "Ray" John Hoeschen

Raoul John “Ray” Hoeschen was born in Minnesota to Herman and Evelyn Hoeschen on November 23, 1935 and was raised on a farm in Sublimity, Oregon. With his parents and sister Marlys he moved to South Gate in the late 1940’s. He attended St. Helen's School and graduated from South Gate High School, Class of 1953. After high school he proudly served in the U.S. Army and had fond memories of the beauty of the French countryside. He returned to Southern California, settling in Lynwood where he lived and raised his family for 30 years. As a member of the Holy Name Society at St. Emydius Church he served faithfully as an usher at 8:30 Mass; he was also Chairman of the Parish Festival and devoted many years to Boy Scout Pack 691, eventually becoming Scout Master. Ray loved the outdoors and we all have great memories of frequent camping trips, eventually traveling to all states west of the Mississippi and into Canada. He worked for over 30 years at Distributor Supply Company in Los Angeles and eventually retired after approximately 20 years with Basics, Etc., in Temecula. He was an outside salesman and made many friends at the car dealers he serviced on his route. Ray was recognized by the Muscular Dystrophy Association for many years of volunteer service to the Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon. He moved to Downey in the early 1990’s, became a member of St. Raymond Parish, and thoroughly enjoyed his membership in Elk’s Lodge 2020. He and Sandie got very involved in country dancing and he could rock a mean Tush Push. In retirement, he had more time to devote to traveling and he and Sandie enjoyed cruises with their friends and other trips. They also liked attending the Long Beach Pops concert series and performances at the La Mirada Theater. He wholeheartedly took up golf and had a great time on Wednesday afternoons with the guys at Ironwood Nine in Cerritos. An avid Lakers fan, he hung in with them through good times and bad over the years; no fair weather fan was he. He puttered endlessly around the house and tended his beautiful flower beds as only an old farm boy could, pausing to lunch daily with Judge Marilyn Milian on The People’s Court. Above all, he was always there for his family, President and CEO of Dad’s Fix-It Service, available any time, no job too big or too small. He passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, July 22, 2014 to be joyfully reunited with his mom, dad, sister and his beloved Rambo Dog.

To say that Ray was a solid and dependable guy would be an understatement; he lived an admirable, respectable life of dignity, kindness and service to family and the community. He always did the right thing, simply because it was the right thing to do. He had wonderful warmth and a true interest in people, and everywhere he went, everyone knew Ray. He accepted people as they are and easily struck up conversations with folks he met. He was a true friend to so many and had many happy memories of good times. He created a beautiful and fun life with Sandie, and their relationship was built on love, mutual respect and true partnership. Ray set a lovely example for his children and raised us with common sense, firmness, a sense of humor, friendship, unconditional acceptance and endless love. His was a life well-lived, and we will all be forever grateful that we had the opportunity to be part of it.

Ray lives on in the hearts of those who loved him and will cherish him always: his daughters Barbara Hoeschen and her family, Angie (Peter) Cabrera and their six children, Nina (Jorge) Hernandez and their four children, and Victor (April) Serrano; Cindy (Jim) Lynch and their son Michael; Debbie Yoakum and her sons Matthew Ray and Drew; his son Ed Hoeschen; his love Sandie Bixler and her sons Kelly and Kory (Jackie) Bixler and their son Kodie; the whole Kelly family who took him into their hearts; and his loving former in-laws Roy and Dorothy Maker.

“Now cracks a noble heart. Good night, sweet prince; And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.”

Arrangements under the direction of Miller-Mies Mortuary, Downey, CA.