Raymond was born on June 28, 1945 in Dallas, TX to Sam and Elisa Ayala. He attended South Oak Cliff High school before entering the United States Marine Corps in 1967, served in Vietnam, and would later retire after 35 years of service with AT&T. On December 18, 1971, he married Hermelinda Castillo Moreno. They raised two sons, Ramon and Salvador.
Raymond was a natural-born teacher and leader, demonstrating his ability as a team lead in the Corps, coaching his boys’ club soccer teams to multiple and repeated successes, and advancing to a management role in his career. The camaraderie, structure, and discipline he derived from military service shaped his life and supplied him the tools he used to become the consummate provider for his family. He loved a good story and was an avid reader, his favorite writers being Stephen King and Tom Clancy. After a morning full of yardwork, Raymond’s perfect afternoon would have been settling in for a Dallas Cowboys game, dogs by his side, and a large bowl of menudo to enjoy.
Raymond was preceded in death by his father, Sam, his mother, Elisa, his infant brother, Sammy, and his younger brother Bobby.
He is survived by his wife Hermelinda, his two sons, Ramon and Salvador, four grandchildren, his brother Johnny, his sister Lisa, and several cousins, nieces, and nephews.
A funeral mass will be held on Friday, October 4th, 2019 at Calvary Hill Funeral Home on Lombardy at 12pm.
