Raymond O Canez

Raymond Oropeza Canez, affectionately known as "Rene" and "Ray" passed away on April 1, 2024, at the age of 74. Born to Manuel and Juanita Canez, on March 29, 1950, in Florence, Arizona. He was the 8th child of 11 siblings. In 1952, the family moved to Lamont, CA in pursuit of a better life.
Ray attended local grammar schools in Lamont and earned his high school diploma from the Bakersfield Adult School in 1981. He worked in the automotive business for 20 years and worked 10 years as an Inmate Monitor for Mesa Verde CCF. His career was marked by dedication and excellence.
In 1969, he married the queen of his heart, Sandra Salazar, and together they built a life filled with laughter and love. Devoted father to sons, Rene and Anthony, proud grandpa to grandsons, Mark (Adrianna) and Gabriel, granddaughters, Amber, Krissa, and Emma, and great granddaughter, Aubree.
Ray's life was one of active engagement with the world around him. He was a car enthusiast, restoring over 15 cars and trucks, an avid golfer, a gambler, and loved to listen to his favorite Oldies. His menudo gatherings were legendary, the highlight of many family and friend's events. He loved his nephews, nieces, neighbors, and above all he praised and thanked God every day of his life.
Predeceased by his parents, all his brothers, and sisters, Emma, Lupita, and Mariana Canez. Ray's legacy is carried on by his loving wife, Sandra; his son's Rene and Anthony, his adored grandchildren, Mark (Adrianna), Amber, Krissa, Gabriel and Emma, his precious great granddaughter, Aubree, his sisters, Connie Flores and Jane Espinosa, and a host of sisters-in-law, nephews, and nieces.
Pallbearers: Mark Canez, Gabriel Canez, Eric Delacruz, John Paul Delatorre, Cory Salazar, and Zack Ontiveros.
Services: On April 17, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church, located at: 9915 Ramos Ave. 93307. Interment at 11:30 a.m. at Greenlawn Cemetery, located at: 2739 Panama Lane 93313.
In lieu of flowers donate to the State Children's Trust Fund (SCTF) will go towards child abuse prevention programs in California.
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Today I said good-bye to my beloved husband, Hon, Rene, Ray.
Rene and I married at the young age of 19. I often described our marriage as the good, the bad and the ugly, but filled with Laughter, Love and God.
Once Rene became a father, his duties were to guard and protect his family. I liked that he did not compromise with the discipline of our sons, Rene and Anthony; he put the fear of Dad and God in them!! Despite losing his father at age 10, Ray shared the many lessons he learned, often translating Spanish sayings to English, "If you are up to no good, I will know" and "Look me in the eyes" were some of his favorites. As our sons were growing up, Ray was always a part of their lives, attending Ney's football sports activities with a bag of sunflower seeds and watching Anthony's golf events at Sundale golf course (there he did not take his sunflower seeds). He made sure our sons had "wheels" by age 16. He also made time to attend sports activities for his nieces and nephews. These were wonderful days well spent with the familia.
Once our family grew, Rene married Lizel and they gave us Mark, Amber and Krissa. Anthony married Amanda and gave us Gabriel and Emma. Ray embraced them into our family with his whole heart. Like any grandpa, Ray had had so much love for our grandchildren. Then grandson Mark married Adrianna and gave us our great granddaughter, Aubree. His heart was complete. Thanks be to God.
Ray was surrounded by love from his extended family, big sisters Connie and Jane, and so much love from nieces, nephews, cousins, God children and friends. You know if you were given a moniker, you received a little more love from him. Just to name a few: Cashmere legs, Big head, Little Lolita, My birthday present, Bo Derek, Christopher Robin and I can go on and on.
Raymond learned to love our Lord Jesus Christ more than anything else in the world-yes, including me! He stopped wearing his gold chains that were bigger than Mr. T's and returned to wearing his St. Christopher medallion. We prayed the "Our Father" every night and together, we strengthened each other in our faith when we were hit with difficult trials in our lives.
I will miss my beloved very much. I will miss how he made me laugh all the time. I will miss how he kept our cars so clean and well maintained. I will miss listening and dancing to oldies with him, but mostly, I will miss him as my best friend, and my husband.
I have not lost him forever for I know when my time comes to leave this earth, I will see him in heaven where we will be in the presence of the Lord for eternity.
In Jesus Christ,
SANDRA CANEZ