Ralph Gonzalez Valencia Sr.

Ralph G. Valencia Sr, went to be with the Lord on Monday December 14th, 2020.  He peacefully passed away in his sleep at his home in North Highlands due to complications.

Ralph, (aka. Val), was first generation Mexican-American born as the second of three children in Oxnard, California to Henrietta Valencia and Antonio Gonzalez, both from Mexico. His brothers (Raymond and Dario) preceded him in death.  At the young age of 8 years old Ralph lost both parents, and was raised by his grandparents, Ben and Antonia Ordonez Valencia, where he graduated from Santa Clara High School in Oxnard Ca.  He enlisted in the Air Force in 1951 and served until 1955. He was a Korean War Veteran earning the Korean Service and United Nations Service Medals.

Ralph met the former Angelina (Angie) Acuña in Sacramento, where they married on July 9, 1955 in Reno, Nevada and they were blessed with six children (Ralph Jr, Henrietta, Yvonne (deceased), Delia, Ernest and Rosalie). He went on to serve as an Civilian Aviation Craftsman working the aircraft depot line and flight test areas at McClellan Air Force Base for 36 years. His favorite plane to work on was the A-10 Thunderbolt.

One of his biggest joys was traveling with his wife and family throughout California in one of his many station wagons and Lincoln Towncars, especially to Monterey and the Wine Country, while also visiting family along the way. He grew up a Dodgers fan, but became a diehard San Francisco Giants baseball, as well as a 49ers football fan. He also enjoyed watching Catholic Mass on EWTN. He left us his Personal Quote taped to the refrigerator …..”The passing of time has created an end of an era that will never be forgotten by our children….”, January 7, 1997. He enjoyed the music of Trini Lopez, Dean Martin, Neil Diamond and the King, but the song that fittingly summed up his life was “My Way,” by Elvis Presley.

He is survived by his wife Angie, five children and leaves behind 14 Grandchildren and 25 Great Grandchildren.

The Valencia family will be having a small “PRIVATE” COVID FRIENDLY service with military honors on Wednesday December 23, 2020 at 10:30AM at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, we request that any donations be made to the Wounded Warrior Foundation. Please contact Ernie Valencia at (937)830-9747 or email at valcruz3@outlook.com if you have questions. Christmas Blessings to you from our family!

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