Rafael Gabriel Ochoa

1936 - 2023

Rafael Gabriel Ochoa

August 4, 1936 - December 18, 2023

In loving memory of Rafael Gabriel Ochoa (Huero, Ralph) who was called home to be with our Lord on

December 18th , 2023, while surrounded by loved ones.

Huero was born here in his hometown of Yuma, Arizona, and was a very proud American. As much as he loved America, the American Flag, and all things made in America, he also loved his Mexican heritage, loved listening to Mexican music of all types and watching Spanish movies. He was also very proud of the time he served in the U.S. Army and was a forever patriot.

As a teenage boy and young adult, he travelled with family to agriculture areas in California to work the

strawberry, apple, grape, and citrus fields. He loved telling stories of life in the agricultural camps. He

also loved reminiscing about working the Southern Pacific Railroad with his Father; he loved trains and

the railroad.

After the Army, Huero spent time working in the Citrus Packing Plant near the house he grew up in. He later met and married the love of his life, Toni. They married on New Year's Eve 1965. Huero went on to have his own Taxi Company; he was the owner/operator of Ralph's Yuma Taxi. Always a sharp dresser, in his creased, dark slacks, button up shirts, polished shoes, and Gatsby cap, he was the best-dressed, most polite Cabbie in Yuma! He loved life and loved meeting new people, his customers became his regulars who trusted and counted on him.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Toni Ochoa; his son, Rafael Ochoa Jr.; his parents, Rafael Vidal

Ochoa and Virginia Yanez Ochoa; his brothers Alfredo Covarubbias Ochoa, Alfredo Yanez Ochoa, Gilbert

Yanez Ochoa, and Ricardo Yanez Ochoa.

Ralph is survived by his daughter, Yvonne Warner (Brent) and sons, Frank Ochoa, Felix Ochoa (Laurie),

and Francisco Ochoa (Wendy ); his siblings, Lydia Navarro (Louie ), Bea Perez (Gene), Andrew

Ochoa (Sara ), Paul Ochoa (Francis ), Cynthia Nunez (Jerry ), and Linda Leach (Mike); 18

grandkids and 26 great-grandkids.

A viewing will be held on Wednesday, January 3rd , 2024, at Johnson Mortuary located at 1415 S. First

Avenue from 5 to 9 p.m., with a Rosary starting at 7 p.m. A Mass will be held on Thursday, January 4th ,

2024, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Church, located at 1815 S. 8th Avenue, with burial to follow at

11:30 a.m. at Desert Lawn Memorial Cemetery.

Please sign the guestbook at www.legacy.com/obituaries/yumasun