Ray Garza

Ramon “Ray” Garza was a quiet and unassuming man whose actions spoke volumes for his character. He cared about people and was understanding and compassionate; he helped others in whatever way he could. Ray appreciated the beauty and peace found in nature and enjoyed outdoor activities. His greatest joy, however, was found in his family. Ray had a way of putting all the people in his life at ease, making them feel welcome and blessed to be part of his life.

The 1950s were a bustling, optimistic time in American history. Neighborhoods and schools were bursting at the seams in the post-war Baby Boom. Families moved from the cities to stake their claims to a comfortable life in the suburbs, where new domestic technologies promised to make the average American life easier. Ramon was born during this period of robust exuberance to Manuel P. Garza Sr. and Maria Esther (Quinones) Garza of Chicago, Illinois on April 23, 1951, at South Shore Hospital.

Ramon, or Ray as he was called, grew up in a very large and loving family; he was one of nine children with five brothers and three sisters. His father worked hard as a steel mill worker to support their family, while his mother had her hands full at home raising nine children. By example, they taught their children the importance of responsibility and of working hard, a trait that Ray implemented his entire life and would eventually instill in his own children. Ray’s family was also proud of their Hispanic-Mexican heritage and raised the children with an awareness and appreciation of their history.

In 1956, the steel mills in Chicago were on strike, so Ray’s father moved the family to Kalamazoo, Michigan, in hopes of finding work. It was here that Ray began his schooling at St. Augustine and St. Ambrose Elementary Schools, where he also played on the basketball team. During the summer, he and the neighborhood kids liked playing baseball in a nearby vacant lot. Once old enough, Ray went to work during the summers, selling ice cream on a bike and push cart for Hav-A-Bar Ice Cream Co., mowing lawns and selling fruit and vegetables. After graduating from Hackett High School in 1970, Ray became the Assistant Manager at Harding’s Grocery Store for the next 4 years.

Like many young boys, Ray loved to play army with his friends and was fascinated with military effects. His brother was a Marine and Ray was inspired to follow in his footsteps, but instead he enlisted in the U.S. Army in honor of his Uncle Ramon, who he was named after. During his 6 year tour of duty, Ray had attained the rank of Sergeant in the Second Armored Division,18th Battalion and served as a Motor Transport Operator. After an unexpected accident, he was honorably discharged from the Army.

After settling back into civilian life, Ray secured a job at The Upjohn Co. as a Tech Assistant, but left a short time later to work for the Post Office as a mail handler in 1981. It was also during this time that Ray met and married his first wife, Barbara Burnett, in 1972, and they had two sons together: Ramon and Tony. After his divorce Ray was devoted to his boys and stayed closely connected to them, visiting them often where they lived in Indiana. Like his parents, Ray made sure his sons grew up with an appreciation for hard work, but most importantly, that they knew they were loved.

Ray would find love again when he met Roseley Kester. While working one night, he helped Rose look for some confidential items she inadvertently put in the mailbox at the Miller Road Post Office. They never found the items, but Ray did take notice that Rose wasn’t wearing a wedding ring, so the next day he sent her a dozen roses with a card saying, “Your Friendly Post Office Man.” As fate would have it, Ray and Rose were happily married on June 17, 1984, at the Little Stone Church on Mackinaw Island.

A humble man, Ray did not need great things in his life to make him happy. He enjoyed the comforts of a simple and honest lifestyle, and was perfectly happy just spending time with his loved ones. Numbered to his family was also his beloved yellow Labrador named Max, who was Ray’s baby. He was utterly heartbroken when Max died, but like the other tragedies and rough times in his life, Ray weathered them with courage and faith. Soon, he found other animals right in his backyard he could care for, like feeding crackers, grapes and seeds to the birds and squirrels. Aside from the animals, he also took care of his neighbors and would often shovel their walks in the wintertime. In 2006, Ray had some fun with his mother on an unforgettable cruise, which they both enjoyed tremendously.

Much of his life Ray followed many of the Detroit sports teams including the Red Wings, Tigers and Lions. He was also die hard University of Michigan fan.

In 2003, Ray had a terrible accident at work while unloading mail from a truck and suffered a closed head injury and amnesia. Throughout his extensive rehabilitation, his wife Rose was vigilantly by his side, making sure he knew he was immensely loved. Ray did recover, but was only able to function on a diminished capacity with memory loss and speech problems. Because of this trauma, his personality had also completely changed, but nonetheless, he was still the man his family loved and adored. Ray was diagnosed with cancer less than a week ago but it had already spread throughout his body. Sadly, on Saturday, April 5, 2008, he unexpectedly fell into a coma and died at Bronson Hospital.

“The thin line between time and eternity is a breath.” Sr. Mary Catherine

Ramon Garza died on Saturday, April 5, 2008, at Bronson Hospital. Learn more about Ray, view his Life Story film and visit with his family and friends on Wednesday, April 9, from 4:00-8:00 p.m. at the Life Story Funeral Homes, Betzler, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo (375-2900), where a prayer service will be held on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, April 10, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Interment will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Following the burial, family and friends are invited to St. Joseph Parish Hall for a reception.

Ray was preceded in death by his father, Manuel Garza Sr., in 2005. Members of his family include his wife, Roseley (Rose) Garza; two sons: Ramon (Sue) Garza and Tony (Michele) Garza, all of Martinsville, IN; stepson, Gabe (Diana) Kester of Kalamazoo; five grandchildren: Nicholas, Shelbi, twins Chloe and Presley and Miranda; his mother, Maria Esther Garza of Murray, KY; five brothers: Manuel (Marsha) Garza Jr. of Wayland, Luis Garza of Caledonia, WI, Jesus (Dorothy) Garza of Madison, WI, Jose (Roxanne) Garza of Idaho Falls, ID, and Andres (Sandy) Garza of South Bend, IN; three sisters: Maria (Brad) Huntley, Eloisa (Craig) Wells, both of Murray, KY, and Lydia (Craig) Campbell of Waterford, MI; several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Please visit Ramon’s memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a memory or photo of him with his family or sign his online guest book before coming to the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.