Raymond "Mony" Alvarado

1947 - 2013

Raymond "Mony" Alvarado obituary, 1947-2013, Wapato, WA

BORN

1947

DIED

2013

FUNERAL HOME

Valley Hills Funeral Home - Wapato

218 W 3rd Street

Wapato, Washington

Raymond Alvarado Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Jan. 29, 2013.

Raymond "Mony" Alvarado, 65, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on January 26, 2013 after a courageous battle with cancer. Mony was born in Lamar, Colorado to Rufus and Angie Alvarado, on June 11, 1947. He was raised and educated in Wapato, Washington.

In his earlier childhood the Alvarado families would travel to Mt. Vernon to pick strawberries and he continued to work in the fields every summer. He joined the local boxing team and traveled around Washington state to compete and he was good at it. In junior high and high school he was very active in sports and participated in basketball and track and would always tell us stories about his "pole vaulting" ability and how he set up a pole vaulting structure behind his house to practice.

After high school he moved to Los Angeles, California to live with his brother until April 21, 1966 when he received his draft notice. Mony received his military training at Fort Lewis, WA and Fort Lee, VA before being deployed to Vietnam. He served two years in the Army from 1966 to 1968 and was assigned to the 17th Engineer DET and awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnamese Campaign Medal, and Sharpshooter (Rifle).

After he returned from his tour in Vietnam he continued to live in Los Angeles and worked at a plant making parts for airplanes. He spent his spare time with his brother Tony at the Main Street boxing gym in downtown LA sparring with Ernie "Indian Red" Lopez, and Danny "Lil Red" Lopez who later became the world champion. He would always tell us stories about his boxing days and continued to watch boxing matches whether they were in Las Vegas or on TV. After a few years he returned to Wapato and worked various jobs throughout the valley until he retired as the Cellar Master at Staton Hills Winery.

He enjoyed many camping trips with his son and grandsons fishing at Dog Lake, Wenas, Horsethief, Spearfish and Track D. Opening Day would always be planned months in advance. Mony also loved baseball and was a diehard "Yankee" fan, making sure he had his tickets when the Yankees came to Seattle and making sure he watched them on TV. He loved to travel, anywhere and everywhere. If someone said let's go to Nevada, California, Minnesota or Colorado, he'd tell Shirley pack up and let's go; they traveled everywhere together and were inseparable.

Mony always had a kind and generous heart. He lived his life to the fullest and loved every minute of it. He was the kind of person that would do anything for you if he could. He loved spending quality time with his family and always said family was the most important thing in his life; without them he would have nothing.

There are no words to will be loved and missed by his family, his extended family, friends, and people who knew him for only a short period of time. He will always be a special person. WE LOVE YOU MONY.

Mony is survived by his wife and companion of 31 years, Shirley Alvarado, his children Angelina (Rolando) Rivas of Wapato, WA, Krystal (Nathan) Eyle of Wapato, Allison (Tom) Stephens of Yakima, WA and Michael (Teresita) Alvarado of Moxee, WA, his grandchildren, Santos, Marcus, Jazlyn, Aliyah, Lexie, Allison, Azayla, Christina, Isaac and Raymond, his siblings, Tony (Joanne) Alvarado of Dayton, NV, Christina (James) Facio and Mike (Rachel) Alvarado of Sacramento, CA. He is preceded in death by his parents Rufus and Angie Alvarado, his father in law Charles Gwinn, and his brothers in law Santos Castilleja and Jim Aleck Sr.

Visitation will be 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Wednesday, January 30, 2013 at Merritt Funeral Home in Wapato. Recitation of the Rosary will be at 6:45 p.m., Wednesday, January 30, 2013 at Merritt Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m., Thursday, January 31, 2013 at St. Peter Claver Catholic Church in Wapato with burial to follow at Reservation Community Memorial Park. To share a memory of Mony, visit www.merrittsfuneralhome.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Memories and Condolences
for Raymond Alvarado

What is your first memory of Raymond?

Share a favorite memory you have of Raymond.

Tell us about a special moment you shared with Raymond.

Describe a time when Raymond made you laugh or smile.

What is something you will always remember about Raymond?

Talk about a shared experience you had with Raymond.

What is something you did together that you enjoyed?

Describe a place or activity that reminds you of Raymond.

Tell us about a personal story or anecdote involving Raymond.

What is something you learned from Raymond?

Not sure what to say?

March 28, 2015

Chester Nash

Mony....had to re-open this guest book to leave you a belated farewell. I'm sorry my friend, that I never made it back down to visit. I feel like I let you down brother. You were a wonderful friend for the many years I knew you. You were always straight forward and honest. I miss you Mony...I'm needing to go visit Shirley, but I'm afraid it would make her feel bad. I hope one day, to sit and talk again. R.I.P. Mr. Alvarado, Sir. I still use the handle, Chester Two Dogs that you gave me so long ago.

January 28, 2014

Micheal and Family

A year has already passed, and as busy as our lives have been there's not been a day we haven't thought of you Dad. We keep your picture in our sights so we can keep your memory in our lives. We talk with you daily and I know you hear my thoughts and prayers. The Kids are doing well and live so that if you see them they would make you proud. We hoped to bring the family together but our busy lives are still an obstacle. So all I can do is hope that everyone can feel your presence as we do and remember you in all of life's happy moments as if You are there with them also. We all love and miss you very much.

June 17, 2013

Shirley Alvarado

Your birthday has came and gone and today is fathers day I think of you every minute everyday. I love you Mony and I will always Love you forever. you've left a huge void in everyone's heart . it'll never go away. every day is a struggle for me, it's like I'm still wondering around trying to remember your voice your laughter your humor and especially your smile. my heart is empty without you. love you always! Your wife Shirley (I was with you in your finest hour and things won't be the same but there's a higher power that we answer too and I heard him call your name)

Posted by Shirley Alvarado

February 7, 2013

Angela Hernandez

Shirley,Crystal,Allison,Family& Michael.We were all sad to hear Mony passed on My Mom Rose paid her Respects and brought a Memory card for Me but I passed it on to my Dad Sandy.Prayers for Strength to face another day,Mony will be Missed by many

February 6, 2013

Shirley Alvarado

It has been 11 days since you passed and I miss you so much! It's like I'm living in a bad dream and I want to wake up. I walk around the house trying to hear your voice or seeing if your there. I miss you saying I love you Shirley (every day), I miss our conversations, I miss your smile, I miss you so much my heart aches. I will always love you Mony. You were my heart and soul. I will be with you soon.
Your Wife, Shirley

Posted by Shirley Alvarado

February 1, 2013

Anthony Hernandez

Shirley and family I am sadden to hear about mony's passing, my prayers and thoughts are with you.
My dad and the Hernandez family from Colorado also send their prays. He will be missed but not forgotten.

January 30, 2013

We will miss you Mony. Shirley and family, please know that he is now in peace and no longer in pain. I pray for all of you to be strong and support each other, me and my family will be there with you. Now I have no one to tell me "Hello there young lady!" There is a joke with that greeting! Remember "Jesus only." and love you all.

January 29, 2013

Corina Morales

May the Lord bless you and your family as you struggle through this trying time. May you enjoy the many memories that you have shared. Good bye Mony. May the angels comfort you.

Showing 1 - 8 of 8 results

Make a Donation
in Raymond Alvarado's name

Memorial Events
for Raymond Alvarado

To offer your sympathy during this difficult time, you can now have memorial trees planted in a National Forest in memory of your loved one.

Funeral services provided by:

Valley Hills Funeral Home - Wapato

218 W 3rd Street, Wapato, WA 98951

How to support Raymond's loved ones
Commemorate a cherished Veteran with a special tribute of Taps at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.

Read more
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
The Five Stages of Grief

They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.

Read more
Ways to honor Raymond Alvarado's life and legacy
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more