Obituary of Raymond Ramirez

Raymond (Ray) Ramirez- 84 years of age passed away April 19, 2019 
Ray was born in San Bernardino County and relocated to the Monterey Peninsula as a young boy.
At the age of 17, he married Marie Bruno and they welcomed their first child Raymond Jr. As Ray was trying to find his way in life, he worked in the local canneries and experienced a very challenging Alaskan Commercial Salmon Fishing trip with his father in-law Paul Bruno.
Rosemarie Ramirez was born not long after the purchase of their first home on Spruce St. 
While working at Bay Motors in Monterey he found his true passion in motorcycles. He raced on the Northern California short track Pro Division and the AMA Hare and Hound National Championship Series, where he experienced countless wins and trophies. In May of 1966 he founded R&R Racing Enterprise introducing AMA Short Track Racing to the Monterey Fair Grounds. Ray’s most challenging track was Ascott Speedway in Gardena, CA near Los Angeles.
Ray went on to purchase R&R Body Shop in Seaside, which became a thriving business for over 30 years. Ray was remarried to Nancy Raburn welcoming two stepchildren and later having a child of their own, Sam Ramirez. Sam was raised in Corral Di Tierra where they built their dream home from the ground up. Ray was always ambitious in looking for good investments. Ray also went into a partnership at Darry’s Shadow Box with Sam Rodrigues. The Shadow Box became the locals favorite as well as his passion for the next 50 years, closing in April 2018. 
Along with dabbling in real estate he joined forces with daughter Rosie and son in-law Bill to open the Brass Rail Bar and Grill in Salinas in 1989. 
In Rays later years he found his love for wave runners at San Antonio Lake. Where he spent many summers camping under the stars with girlfriend Kris Nelson. This became his happy place where he could escape the hustle and bustle of the bar life.

Ray leaves behind his children, Raymond Jr, Rosie Rogers (Bill) & Samuel Ramirez. Three grandchildren Marie Leger 
(Woody), Julie Rogers, & Ashley Ramirez, and great grandson Collin Leger.
His step children Denise & Kathy Raburn and girlfriend Kris Nelson.

Ray’s celebration of life will be held at Cuz’s Sportsman.

(where they have been lifelong friends)

594 Broadway Ave, Seaside CA

On Friday May 17, 2019 at 1pm