Ray L. Vasquez

Ramiro Luna Vasquez was born December 17, 1953 at The General Hospital near downtown Los Angeles. He was the 2nd of 4 children born to Lidia Luna Vasquez (RIP 1968) & Jose Marquez Vasquez (RIP 1998).

Ramiro, better known as Ray L. Vasquez, was raised in the Boyle Heights community of East Los Angeles. He attended Marianna Elementary School, Belvedere Middle School & Garfield High School; where he excelled at architectural drafting. When he was 15 years old, his mother passed away. It was a very challenging time for him and his 3 siblings. Ray & his older brother, Alfred (RIP 2008), took on oversight in the upbringing of their 2 younger sisters, Elvira (RIP 2001) & Yolanda.

As a young man he worked various part time jobs. As an entrepreneur, he launched a landscaping business while still in high school. Through his hard work and earned savings, Ray purchased his first pick up truck, a 1965 Chevy C10 at age 15. He shortly thereafter purchased a 1964 Chevy Impala. He was definitely a Chevy man throughout his life.

Ray met Matilde Valtierra Ruiz in 1972 and they were married on November 24, 1974 He became a father to Carmen & Christina Ruiz and the new family moved to Long Beach, CA They eventually had two sons Ramiro Adrian Vasquez & David Victor Vasquez. In 1977 the family moved to their new home in Pomona, CA.

In 1977, Ray began a new career in the Construction / Excavation Industry. He learned the trade from his brother in law & best friend, Ralph Knapp (RIP 1983). He started in the business with a Chevy C5500 bobtail truck & Massey-Ferguson 40B backhoe. In the early 1980’s, with 2 business partners, Ray established B.L.M. Equipment Rentals, Inc. based in West Covina, CA. BLM specialized in commercial & industrial excavation. The excavation projects were located throughout CA & NV. In the early 1990’s Ray & his partner dissolved their corporation and went their separate ways. He subsequently established United Operated Equipment, Inc.

Ray was known in the industry as the premier footings excavation expert in the marketplace. His intersect in the quality of work and speed, were second to none, and this reputation preceded him. Ray prided himself on providing excellent service with attention to detail; he always went the extra mile to get the job done right. He retired in Jan 2015 and transitioned the business 100% to his son, David.

He took satisfaction in being a self made entrepreneur; yet he had humility to recognize that having a relentless work ethic & respect for others were the keys to his success. He shared & instilled these values with his family. He loved his family very much and they were his source of motivation & inspiration in all he did in life. He had a tremendous amount of pride and joy in his children and grandchildren. In his free time, he enjoyed camping, fishing & off roading on ATVs.

Ray suddenly passed away on Sunday morning, October 4th in his Pomona home. His family and friends greatly miss him and take comfort knowing he is resting in peace with God. He is survived by Matilde Vasquez; his children Carmen (Javier) Guillen, Alma Christina Avalos, Ramiro “Ray” (Felicia) Vasquez & David (Jennie) Vasquez; Grandchildren Beatriz, Christina, Anne, Noel, Erica, Ethan, Christopher, Alex, Leah & Dani; Beloved Sister & Comadre Yolanda Serrano and Brother in Law, Compadre & best friend Guillermo Serrano"; Nieces Lydia & Gina Apodaca.

A viewing will be held Sunday, October 11th @ 4pm to 8pm at Draper Mortuary in Ontario, CA. The funeral services will be on Monday, October 12th @10am at Draper Memorial Chapel and the internment to follow at Bellevue Memorial Park in Ontario, CA