Rafael Lomas Palafox 1938 - 2010 Rafael was born June 3, 1938 in Van Nuys, CA and passed away November 16, 2010 in Bakersfield, CA. Left to cherish his memories are his children, Annette Palafox, Lisa Hernandez and Georgia Hopkins; brother, Frank Palafox; 2 sisters, Gloria Davis and Esther Fernandez; 9 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Rafael Palafox Sr. and Esperanza Lomas Palafox and grandson, Richard Ralph Hidalgo Jr. Our Dad was a U.S. Marine and retired Farm Labor Contractor for Icardo Farms, Yurosek and Valpredo Farms. He loved to watch Dodger baseball and being around his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Viewing is Thursday, Nov. 18, from 6-9 p.m. with Rosary at 7 p.m. A Chapel service will be held on Friday, Nov. 19, at 10:00 a.m., at Hillcrest Mortuary. Interment will follow at the Bakersfield National Cemetery, at 12:30 p.m. www.bakersfield.com/obits

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Published by Bakersfield Californian on Nov. 18, 2010.

Memories and Condolences
for Rafael Palafox

2 Entries

Melissa Monclova

November 18, 2010

The love of GOD
by Melissa Ann Monclova on Friday, October 29, 2010 at 12:34am

Often when we pause and wonder When we kneel down to pray; Can God really hear The prayer that we say.

But if we keep praying And talk to Him; He'll brighten the soul That was clouded and dim.

And as we continue Our burden seems lighter; Our sorrow is softened Our outlook is brighter.

For though we feel helpless And alone when we start; Our prayer is the key That opens the heart.

And as our heart opens, The dear Lord comes in; And the prayer that we felt We could never begin.

Is so easy to say For the Lord understands; And gives us new strength By the touch of His hands.

Melissa Monclova

November 18, 2010

If I knew it would be the last time That I'd see you fall asleep, I would tuck you in more tightly and pray the Lord, your soul to keep.

If I knew it would be the last time that I see you walk out the door, I would give you a hug and kiss and call you back for one more.

If I knew it would be the last time I'd hear your voice lifted up in praise, I would video tape each action and word, so I could play them back day after day.

If I knew it would be the last time, I could spare an extra minute to stop and say "I love you," instead of assuming you would KNOW I do.

If I knew it would be the last time I would be there to share your day, Well I'm sure you'll have so many more, so I can let just this one slip away.

For surely there's always tomorrow to make up for an oversight, and we always get a second chance to make everything just right.

There will always be another day to say "I love you," And certainly there's another chance to say our "Anything I can do?"

But just in case I might be wrong, and today is all I get, I'd like to say how much I love you and I hope we never forget.

Tomorrow is not promised to anyone, young or old alike, And today may be the last chance you get to hold your loved one tight.

So if you're waiting for tomorrow, why not do it today? For if tomorrow never comes, you'll surely regret the day,

That you didn't take that extra time for a smile, a hug, or a kiss and you were too busy to grant someone, what turned out to be their one last wish.

So hold your loved ones close today, and whisper in their ear, Tell them how much you love them and that you'll always hold them dear

Take time to say "I'm sorry," "Please forgive me," "Thank you," or "It's okay." And if tomorrow never comes, you'll have no regrets about today.