Raymon Joseph Tavarez

Raymon Joseph Tavarez, age 35, passed away on December 13, 2025. Ray was born on January 17, 1990 in Carlsbad, New Mexico. Albuquerque had been his home since 2010. Ray was also known as “RJ” by family and friends from his hometown, and he was known as “Ray Basura/the Trash King” by professional wrestling colleagues and audiences across the country.

RJ was the most affectionate person in the world to his family and friends, constantly offering cuddles and easily making others laugh. His family loved his silliness and big bear hugs. RJ spent magical days in the Chihuahuan Desert growing up in Carlsbad, from hunting horny toads and tarantulas with his sister Latisha to causing mischief with his friends Kris, Jonathan, and others.

As a professional wrestler for ten years, Ray was able to easily captivate audiences with his talent as an athlete and an unmatched charisma. Before moving to Albuquerque, Ray and his friends started Carlsbad Backyard Wrestling, where he tapped into a passion that would lead him to his iconic wrestler name: Ray Basura. Whether he was shaking hands as the “Wrestler of the Year,” slamming opponents as one-half of the “Brute 66” tag team, or reigning over wrestling promotions as “The Trash King,” Ray Basura had an undeniable presence in every ring he stepped into in the course of his expansive career as a professional wrestler. Outside of the ring, his friends and colleagues from his time as a wrestler respected and admired him deeply, and cared for him as a friend and mentor.

After retiring from wrestling in 2020, Ray repurposed the knowledge and wisdom he gained from the business to support professional wrestling in Albuquerque and beyond. He designed merchandise for other wrestlers, served as producer and consultant for local promotion Phase 1 Pro, and mentored wrestling students at Off The Ropes Wrestling. Ray Basura made the wrestling community better because he believed in it and cared for the people who were part of it.

Anyone who knew Ray saw how incredibly creative he was in the various spaces he occupied. Many across the country have Ray’s pet portrait paintings hanging in their homes, and even more carry his beautiful and detailed designs on t-shirts or stickers. He had incredible vision for creative projects, and always executed them to perfection.

In 2017, Ray became the practice manager at the Albuquerque Cat Clinic, where his creativity and leadership helped create a positive work environment where staff felt valued everyday. Ray’s dedication to the clinic and to feline veterinary medicine was absolutely invaluable to staff, colleagues in the field, and clients alike.

This dedication was also reflected in the love that Ray poured into Albukaraoque, a local live karaoke band where his wife Valeria was the lead singer. During the time that he managed Albukaraoque, Ray helped to further establish the band’s presence in the local music/karaoke scene. His belief in the band and the members’ value as musicians was reflected in all the hard work he put into making sure karaoke singers felt like true rockstars.

Ray and Valeria fell in love in 2017, and during their short time together they built a magical community in Albuquerque and in California, and surrounded themselves by thoughtful and loving people who saw Ray as the gift that he was. His absence is deeply felt by all of us who knew how kind, funny, and caring he was.

Ray is survived by his wife Valeria, his parents Mary, Ray, and Darla, his sister Latisha (husband, Brent), his cousin and chosen sister Rachelle (husband, James), his sister Jessica, his nephew Ellis Ray, his nieces Iris and Wren, his nieces and nephew Taliya, Aniyah, and Charles III, his nana Charlotte, and his cousins across the country, including in California and in New Mexico.

There are no words to express how massively empty the world will feel without Ray/RJ/Basura and his infectious smile. He truly was one of a kind.

An informal reunion to celebrate Ray’s life will be held at Marble Downtown in Albuquerque on December 20 from 1-4pm, where his loved ones can share memories, moments, and stories that honor the joy that Ray brought to those who knew him.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the caring and compassionate professionals at

Trujillo Family Funeral Home

"Our Family Serving Yours"