Lo que yo requerdo de mi Tio Rafael es que el era muy carinoso con nosotros.  Nos hacia reir mucho.  Carinosamente me llamava "Soli".  Me dio buenos conesejos y agradesco su sinseridad.  Extranare a mi Tio pero, se que lo volvere aver un dia.  Mi mas sentido pesame.

Su sobrina,

Jolie "Yoly" Ingram


Hola hermanito.  Tantas cosas que quisiera decirte pero sabes que soy de pocas palabras.  Siempre te llevare en mi corazon.  Nomas heramos, los dos, y contigo siempre platicaba.  Ahora hermanito, quien me va hacer reir. Gracias por todas las memorias.  Que Diosito te tenga con el.  Que tu y mi papa esten juntos, alegres, y que pronto esten en el cielo gozando con Diosito. Te Quiero mucho.
Tu hermana,“La Moro”
Esther Aranda

Querido Rafael, Primero fuimos companeros, luego amigos, despues cunados, y finalmente Hermanos en Cristo Jesus. Nunca olvidare,que a traves de ti, tuve la bendicion de conocer a Dios Nuestro Senor. No me canso de darle  gracias a Dios, por haber tenido la bendicion de haber tenido el gusto de conocerlos. Recuerdo una vez cuando Tio Juan nos daba "ride" al trabajo, en una ocacion al llevarme en la tarde a la casa, al dar vuelta en la esquina, yo le dije a Tio Juan que me bajara en la esquina. Yo, abri la puerta por que crei que se iva a parar y casi me caigo.Y tu, queriendo detenerme, en vez de detenerme me enpujaste y toque el suelo con mis manos. De momento, no se vio chistoso, pero despues, nos reimos mucho cuando lo recordavamos. Deciamos que habias querido tirarme. Hay muchos recuerdos de todo lo que pasamos juntos.    
Cuando ibamos al grupo de oracion con el Hermano Petronilo a alabar a Dios Nuestro Senor, fue alli donde tu me llevaste a que hicieron oracion por me, fue alli donde el Senor me sano. Gracias a ti recibi mi sanacion. por eso mi Hermano que Dios Nuestro Senor te tenga en su santa Gloria. Estas en nuestras oraciones.Guardanos un lugarcito cercade ti yde tu Papa.Por alla nos veremos Dios sabe cuando.


Rafael, (Querido Moony y "Panzon") Yo espero que tu estes gozando de la eterna felicidad del cielo.  Que Dios nuestro Senor te haiga abierto las puertas de la "Nueva Jerusalen" para siempre.  Estamos orando por ti, para pedirle al Padre Dios, esa grande gracia. Te recordaremos siempre, hasta que yo llege a la "Patria Celestial" junto contigo. Ruega por nosotros, tu que conociste verdaderamente al Padre Dios. Seguire orando por ti; hasta que nos reunamos en el "Reino de los Cielos" eternamente con Jesus y Maria.  

"?Oye...Oye...Quien te Quiere Mucho?"  "Tu Maaaaaaaaa..."(Ya no eres borego. Ha..ha..ha...)  Tu esposa, Amparo.

Padre, ya se que tu hiciste lo mejor para todos nosotros. Yo te agradezco por todo. Pero especialmente, nunca me voy olividar mas que nada, lo que tu hiciste por mi. Y yo se, que ya no estas sufriendo.  Y que ya estas joven otra vez, y que tu cuerpo esta entero. Te queremos mucho y nunca nos vamos a olividar de ti. Siempre te vamos a tener en nuestras oraciones. Que descanses en paz.

Pop, I know you did the best you could for all of us. I'm grateful & appreciative of everything. But, more than anything, I'll never forget  especially,  how much you did for me! & I know that you're no longer suffering.  I know that you're young again, & that your body is once again whole. We love you & we'll never forget you. We'll always continue to keep you in our prayers.  May you rest in peace.

 

La Oda a mi querido Padre: Papa, me acuerdo cuanto te gustaba la musica y cuanto te encantaba bailar.  Estas palabras te las dedico a ti, de dos canciones.  Una se llama: "Papa Quiero decirte hoy" Y (La canta Lali Torres) La segunda, se llama: "Mi Padre" (La canta Alejandro Fernandez) Si yo podia cantar, mejor te las cantaba....pero, hay te va....

"Todo me lo has dado. Todo a manos llenas, con amor. Siempre has trabajado, luchando por dar nos lo mejor. Pido a Dios por tu alma y por tu ser, que te guarde para siempre. Te quiero con todo el corazon; igual que tu, no hay en todo el mundo. Tu nina yo siempre sere. El tiempo vuela yo lo se....

"Ya no me lleva mi Padre en la mano; solamente sus consejos. Viven en mi los recuerdos de nina; porque mi Padre era fuerte, era muy inteligente, era mejor que ninguno. Cuando se cansen un dia tus pasos, yo quiero ser quien los cuide.

Tu hija, Tu Patti



We'll all miss my father very much. But, as believers, we know that our soul & spirit continues to live. The scriptures say: "In my Father's house there are many mansions. John 14:2" I tend to agree, & believe that my father is in paradise with our Lord Jesus, our Father God, The Holy Spirit, & with all his Angels & Saints. 

"Que descanses en paz mi querido padre (Aka: Moony).  Para siempre te amare, Para siempre te querre, Mientras en mi haya vida, siempre seras mi Papa."  "LOVE YOU FOREVER DAD, SEE YOU IN HEAVEN, WHEN IT'S TIME!"
 

Here's your book Dad, according to your words & your memories: 1 interesting fact that my father shared with me, was that he knew Jose Cuervo (Tequila) & family personally. My father's dream was to be a cartoonist (like Charles Schultz)because he loved to draw.  But, that dream never came to pass. He served in the military(Mexican Army) for a short time.  After that, he took on an apprenticeship to become a tailor. He came to the U.S. legally in 1959. He worked for a while, made some $ then went back to his native country of Mexico. In 1966, after re-uniting with my mother, they got married & both  came to live in the U.S. permanently. My father worked in Hollywood as a tailor 4 a while, & just as my sister had mentioned, he did become the tailor to the stars. (John Wayne, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr. etc.) But, this work was temporary.  He got a permanent job with Bullocks Corp. & eventually Macy's took over.  He retired from Macy's in 2003 after 35 years of loyal service.  I remember him saying to me: "Daughter, I need to leave with a clean record, that's why I never called in sick once, throughout all of my career."  He was always a dedicated worker who provided for his family. He loved his Mexican roots & heritage.  But, he also loved the U.S.A. because all his children were born & raised here.  & he felt a strong loyalty to the U.S.A. because he felt that America was "the hand that fed him & his family." In 2008 he proudly became a U.S. (naturalized) citizen. His favorite foods were: "Caldo" stew(Chicken or Beef), Frijoles de la olla(Pinto beans in a pot), & Pizza!  His favorite sports were: Soccer(Chivas) & Baseball (Angels & Dodgers Fan). His favorite color was blue(sky blue). @ his service, we(meaning his immediate family) all wore his favorite color instead of the traditional all black to remember him.  His faith was strong & deep.  He prayed his rosary daily & watched the Catholic Mass on t.v. everyday too.  He served as an usher @ church for many years.

Mi  padre fue una persona tan especial para mi, porque, nos dio un regalo de su fe. El hecho de conocer a mi padre, fue como la semilla de la fe, se planto dentro de mi. Y la clase de fe que el me dejo, me ayudo a mi, para poder mirar mas alla de lo que yo puedo ver. Y un dia, yo le dije a mi padre, que el todavia era una obra maestra de Dios, sin terminar...igual que tu, y igual que yo. Mi Querido Padre, la muerte tomo tu cuerpo y Dios tomo tu alma. Todo lo que pido, es que sigas caminando a mi lado todos los dias, sin dejar te ver, sin ser escuchado, y siempre cerca de mi. Mi mente tendra los recuerdos de ti, y mi corazon mantendra vivo el amor.
Estoy muy feliz que Dios permitio que tu  alma nos acompane en Este lado de la eternidad. Y, esa semilla de fe que has plantado en mi nunca morira. Y aunque nuestros corazones estan tristes, nos dicen que un dia nos encontraremos de Nuevo en el cielo otra vez, para que Dios me deje ver lo que el termino en ti.
No necesitare decirte dos mil palabras. Guardare solo estas palabras, para decirte cuando te vuelva a ver "Te quiero bien mucho" Para siempre en nuestros corazones! Maria y Chris

My dearest father, "2,000 words" really aren't enough to say what my heart feels for you.  I was the daughter who spoke @ your viewing.  I tried so hard to say the right words that would best describe the kind of person you were in life. I hope you smiled from Heaven when you heard me speak because I asked God & you, to help me & to guide me.  I mentioned when my father was here in his physical form, that he was a good father, an awesome grandfather, & that he loved his children & grandchildren.  But, I forgot to mention how much he loved his wife, my mother.  According to him, she was the love of his life. & in his own words, quote: "I love your mother because she made me a better person." As my father became older, his health began to deteriorate due to complications with his diabetes.  Eventually, it caused him to have a below the knee amputation (right leg).  He had a prosthesis to help him walk, but most of the time he was confined to a wheelchair.  I... became his caregiver & tended to all his needs until his passing.  It was then that I really got to know my father as a person, & not Just as my "father." I would often find myself having heart to heart father/daughter talks @ the kitchen table with him. One time, I remember he said: "Daughter, someone told me a long time ago, I should write a book about my life." "Well, here's the closest thing to your book Dad. "

My father was so very special to me because he gave us all the gift of his faith. And, in knowing my father, there was a small seed of faith that was planted in me, it was the kind of faith that dared me to look further than I could see. And, one day, I told my father that he was God's unfinished masterpiece...just like you and just like me. 
My dearest father, Death took your body and God took your soul. All that I ask is that you keep walking bedside me every day, unseen, unheard, and always near me. My mind will hold the memories of you, and my heart will keep  the love alive. I am so happy that God allowed your soul to accompany us on this side of eternity. And, that seed of faith that you planted in me will never die. Even though our hearts are sad,  they tell us that one day we will  meet again in Heaven, so that God can show me what he finished in you.
I won't need two thousand words. I will be saving just these few words, to tell you when I see you again "I love you so much".
 Forever in our hearts Dad!
Maria and Chris

Nunca me olvidare de me Tio Rafael. Tengo muchas memorias bonitas de el, de mi Tia Amparo, y de mis primos queridos. Toda la familia es linda. Y mi Tio Rafael, era bueno, muy trabajador, siempre bien vestido y siempre le gustaba hacer a la gente reir. 😄😁😊   Si pudiera decirle a mi Tio una cosa otra vez . . . . . le diria “Muchas Gracias Tio (y Tia) por ver quidado a mi hijo Michael cuando el estaba chiquito.  Me daba mucho gusto (and peace of mind) dejar a mi hijo con mi Tio y mi Tia porque lo trataban como si el fuera su primer nieto.  Se que lo querian mucho y yo siempre les voy agradecer el carino y amor que tuvieron para el y conmigo.  Muchas Gracias Tio Rafael!  Que  lusca para Ud. la luz perpetua y que descanse en paz para siempre . . . . su alma esta en los brasos de Dios.  La quiero mucho Tia Amparo y tambien a mis primos.   Que Dios les ayude a seguir adelante y que mi Tio viva en nuestros corazones y memorias para siempre.  Con mucho amor y carino,
“Maia Ete”
Maria Esther 😊❤️🙏🏼😇🌹

My name is Maria Esther
and "Ralph" Ponce was my uncle . . . Tio Rafael.  He was a good uncle ❤️and he had a great sense of humor.  I have a lot of fond memories of my uncle, my mom’s dear brother. I remember my uncle & my mom telling me & re-telling me a story of me & my uncle when I was a little girl.  I’m not sure how old I was but I was not able to pronounce my name correctly and he knew this so on purpose he would tell me that my name was “Maia Ete” and I would get angry at him & tell him my name was not “Maia Ete” . . . It was “Maia Ete” (Only I thought I was pronouncing my name correctly . . . Maria Esther).  My uncle Ralph would get a laugh at seeing me get angry at him and enjoyed hearing me pronounce my name wrong.  That’s how I got my nickname . . .  he used to call me . . . . “Maia Ete”. 😊   I will miss that.   My mom also would tell me the story of how my uncle Ralph was more nervous than my dad when my mom was in labor with me.  He was really worried about my mom & me because I was going to be born a whole month early.  I was a premature baby and he couldn’t believe how small I was.   I think I have felt “mi Tio Rafael’s” love for me ever since.  My thoughts & prayers will go out to my uncle & “Nino” (his dad) forever. 🙏🏼❤️   I will miss him very much & will cherish all the fond memories I have of him.  Death might end his life here on earth but not the relationship we hold of him in our hearts.   ❤️😊

"Max 2000 length".... that is what is offered on this website to say so much about such a wonderful man, husband, friend, and to me.. Daddy. So Moony, nicknamed by his then 2 year old grandson Angel, was & is loved. One of the principle things he taught me in life, was to love. He was born in Sayula south of Guadalajara Jalisco in a little "Coco"style town with a plaza & fountain right in the center. As a child, he loved God even considered the seminary, he loved drawing, his studies at school, music, and when he had the chance, playing pranks on his sister, Esther and other relatives. He was a tailor by trade, tailor to the stars at one point (John Wayne no kidding), but his star was my Mom. He used to say she was "lo mejor que me ha pasado en la vida". He loved her for 51 years very, very much. Though they were not perfect, they were devoted to each other. He was the biggest jokester & funny man. Often using humor, to make the most awful things seem not so awful. My Daddy, like other little girls, was my hero. He loved us all... his 4 kids. To me he was like superman in a 3 piece suit, hard worker everyday, to work & back. He came to all our school functions, decorated for every holiday, wanted to celebrate every event in our lives, & made us believe in magic. He never lost that childlike innocence to look at life's celebrations as magical & later instilled that in his grandkids. He loved them & his son in law very much. Moony taught us to always try to be good people, honest, God fearing, loyal, hardworking & to love others. He loved to socialize & talk to everyone. I remember rolling my eyes as I got older.. we would meet or run into someone, I am thinking here he goes again, only to be wrapped in the whole story in the end.  There is so much more I can say than 2000 words but they won't let me.. so I loved my Dad with all my heart. Everyday I will miss his smiling eyes, his infectious laughter, his advice, his jokes & mostly, his great heart. TQM Moony

I met the Ponce family in 2002 before my brother married Don Rafael's youngest daughter, Lis. Since the 1st day Don Rafael & Dona Amparo welcomed us with open arms. Together we enjoyed (their first child's wedding) Maria to Chris. Together we welcomed the birth of Don Rafael's 3 grandchildren,(my nephews & my Goddaughter Vivian). We all shared the love for those beautiful kids, & felt the connection of love & blood strengthening & growing. I have celebrated  over 14 years of  Christmas's, Thanksgivings,  birthdays, baptisms, etc... with the Ponce Family. When we were together Don Rafael wouldn't let us leave, & we enjoyed talking. I laughed at his jokes & listened attentively to his advice. I remember the memories, & also creating new ones.
He leaves me with a great sense of respect, with a great appreciation of his beautiful & profound faith.  He was a gentleman, & a great father figure to us all. I know that my nom, who passed away 4 months ago, was there in heaven welcoming him to the house of God. Their children (Lis on his part, & Guy, my brother, on my mom's side) & the 3 children from this union linked them as grandparents. My mom LOVED her son's new family, & she loved Elizabeth like her own daughter. All the memories I have are of love, faith, & respect. My memory of Don Rafael Ponce is of a man who LOVED his family dearly, including us, his extended family. Before he got sick, he left a mark on the community at his church. He also left a mark on his children & grandchildren like only great people can. He left a mark on me & everyone that knew him. He also left a heritage of love, faith, & good doing. His children are fruit of his well doing.  All of them are very good people. 
There is nothing better in life than to have people say their goodbyes to you in the way Don Rafael has. Only great human beings can, & Mr. Ponce was indeed a great man. His sudden & unexpected death  left us sad & in shock. But, ultimately we're at peace knowing that he is in Heaven & we will reunite.

Don Rafael was like a father to me and my best friend during the last years of his life. He opened up his home to my family and treated me as one of his own children, and for that I will always be grateful. He leaves us with 3 beautiful grandchildren (thus far) in whom his eternal peregrination, for his love of the kingdom of heaven, will remain alive. On behalf of the Wangensteen family, we deeply share the loss of the Ponce family and pray that we all find a way to best cope with his passing. Don Rafael will be greatly missed and we'll rejoice in the memories that we shared with him until our time comes to join him again. Rest In PEACE my dearest friend Don Rafael. 

OBITUARY

Rafael O. Ponce

September 21, 1936 – August 24, 2018

Funeraria del Angel Anaheim

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