Raymond Orta

“Ray”

Raymond Orta was born on August 31st, 1939, to Tomasa Patino and Isaac Orta of San Antonio, Texas. Ray had three siblings, one older brother, Fernando Antonio, a younger brother, Robert Jospeh, and a younger sister, Guadalupe Cristine. Ray moved to South Gate California, where Grandpa Isaac opened a service station in the local community and Grandma “Tomi” raised her four children until her youngest started school then she worked at for clothes manufacturer plant. Ray attended St. Pius X High School and graduated in 1957. After graduation Ray joined the U.S. Marine Corp and served for a period of 3 years. After an honorable discharge, Ray went home to South Gate where he met Mary Ann Mendoza of Carlsbad, New Mexico. Ray and Mary were married in January of 1966. After living in Los Angeles for a couple or years, Ray took a job working for General Telephone in Oxnard California. There, he found St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, where he served as an usher for many years. He also sent all his children to St. Anthony Catholic School and volunteered with school events during that time. While in the church Ray met and joined the Knights of Columbus. Together with the Knights, Ray worked and helped put together community events, called Bingo, and tended BBQs. Ray worked for GTE for about 25 years until he retired in 1985, thereafter he worked for Point Magu Naval Airbase in Port Hueneme California until he retired again in 2009. Once fully retired, Ray loved to be at home, tending to his yard and visiting with neighbors. He had a boisterous and infectious laugh that stood out in any room. He loved to joke and always put a smile on everyone’s faces. Ray was the type of person that would give you the shirt off his back and then ask if you needed more.

My dad was not always on your side but he was always fair and loved us all equally. I will miss hearing the “hey Mijo, how’s the family,” it was a common question that he loved to ask. I know that dad missed his baby boy, Philip, more than anything. I am happy that I can say they are together again, laughing and joking and having a great time.

Ray joins his youngest son Philip whom left before him and leaves behind his wife of 57 years, Mary, their children, Michael Orta and his wife Christina, Marisa Russell Soria and her husband Justin, his grandchildren, Brianna, Rebecca, Jaden, Kenneth, Travis, Alexis, Caleb and Issac, and his great grandchildren, Arabelle, Leia, and Oliver.