Ralph Alamillo

1923 - 2010

It is with great sadness that the family of Ralph Alamillo announces his passing on July 8, 2010.

Ralph was born February 15, 1923 in Stockton, CA the first son of Jesus and Ruth Alamillo. Born into a family that spoke Spanish, Ralph recognized on his first day of school that to succeed he would need to speak English. He studied hard and surrounded himself with friends that helped him learn the language. By the second grade Ralph was fluent in two languages. Through his school years he studied Latin and French.

Words meant something to Ralph and during his lifetime he used them for support, comfort and encouragement to the thousands of people he met.

Ralph attended Lafayette and Lincoln Elementary, Stockton High, BA from University California Santa Barbara and a MA from USC. During Ralph's first year in junior college, Ralph landed on Omaha Beach D-Day plus four. He moved quickly through France and his regiment united with the English army going into Northern Germany where they eventually bivouacked at Chateau Hamel in Tongeren Belgium. While in the Army Ralph participated in any events including the liberation of a concentration camp.

In 1951 he was hired by the Pleasant Valley School District and taught his first four years in Camarillo. Ralph was an educator for 42 years eventually returning to the PVSD as Assistant Superintendent in 1964. In 1974 he returned to the site level as a principal. Ralph earned many accolades including serving on the Juvenile Justice Commission, being a charter member of the Association of California School Administrators and the 1978 Secondary School Administrator of the Year. Although a true professional his greatest gift was his rapport with kids. He loved spending the last of his career with children.

Ralph is a Lion and has belonged to the Pleasant Valley Lions Club for 55 years. Ralph was awarded a Life Member and was a proud recipient of the Melvin Jones Fellowship for Humanitarian Service. In any service club or community organization there is always one person who will do without being asked, Ralph was that person. Aside from being a Camarillo Don he was also Camarillo Man of the year in 1992. He served with the founders of the city and considered them friends. Ralph enjoyed ushering at St. Mary Magdalen church, working with the Friends of the Library, Boys and Girls Club and any individual or group that needed a few minutes or a few days.

Ralph's retirement had no wasted minutes. He was a starter at River Ridge Golf course and loved greeting each group. Ralph went to the gym most mornings and several times during the week had coffee with his pals Joe and Fred along with the Camarillo "Senate".

During the football season you could find Ralph cheering for USC. Ralph's greatest joy was his grand children. His son Mark's kids, Eric and Steven are accomplished sailors, musicians and Lacrosse players. You could find Ralph at Roadrunner and Cougar games and then at Rio Mesa watching his son John and Denise's boys, Jack and Joe, play football or watching Ally dance or just play the flute. He spent many hours with Alicia and Jeremy Laurentowski's children, Jacob and Jenna and loved watching them play soccer, basketball and dancing. His grand kids loved him and after a day with Pap/Grandpa the kids would need a nap. Ralph also enjoyed his philosophical discussions with his step son Jeff Magill.

Ralph spent the last 25 years married to Vera. During their time they loved to travel seeing many countries and spending great times with their friends.

A funeral mass will be held in Ralph's honor Friday July 16th, 2 p.m. at St. Mary Magdalen Church in Camarillo corner of Crestview Drive and Las Posas Road.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Camarillo Friends of the Library 4101 Las Posas Rd, Camarillo, CA 93010.