Arthur Ray

Arthur Christopher Ray, Sr. passed from death into life on Holy Thursday, April 6, 2023, in Lancaster, California at the age of seventy-eight. His health rapidly declined for two months after a fall which was precipitated by a bout of Covid-19.
Artie was born on July 25, 1944, at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Nogales, Arizona to Concepcion “Connie” Rubio. His early childhood was spent in Nogales, Arizona and in the mining town of Sonora, Arizona. The family moved to the San Fernando Valley in the 1950s where he attended junior high in Pacoima and senior high in San Fernando. At the age of seventeen, Artie enlisted in the U.S. Army and served until he was honorably discharged in 1964. The following year, he married Aledia Marie Walker and had a daughter named Tavia Marie. Their marriage ended in 1968. Shortly thereafter, Artie met and married Cristina Chávez in 1970. They had two children: Arthur Ray, Jr., and Carla Yevette who was stillborn.
For forty-five years, Artie worked for Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works as a flightline mechanic, working on several well-known aircrafts including the SR-71 “Blackbird” and the U-2 “Dragon Lady” spy planes. He was a proud and active member of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, Local Lodge 727P. After his discharge from the military, he continued serving his country in the National Guard. He was a baseball coach for the American Indian Little League and Palmdale Pony League from 1980 until 1988 where he saw many of his teams through to tournaments and championships. Though his legal father was Clifford Ray, through DNA research it was discovered in 2020 that his biological father was Mario Arturo Garcia. He was united with his two half-sisters Stella Garcia and Elvia Garcia Islas, and his aunt Maria Teresa Garcia Beltran in 2020 for the first time in their lives.
“Pops” was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. He loved his family and provided for them whenever they were in need. Because he came from nothing, he made sure that his family had everything. His generosity was not easily matched by many. He was his wife’s primary caretaker throughout her ongoing battle with dementia and was concerned about her wellbeing even in his final days. He was able to connect with people in such a way that they felt loved, endearing him to their memory. “Hi Baby” was how he greeted his children and grandchildren. He would cry with sentiment while listening to Mexican music and enjoyed “the oldies”. He could identify just about any classic car that drove by. He collected more tools than he could ever have used in his lifetime. He was the family mechanic and made certain that everyone regularly checked their oil, tire pressure, and brake pads. Working on his computers was his usual pastime. Though he never won the millions for which he was hoping, he never failed to purchase his weekly lottery ticket. And, above all, he loved being with his family for any occasion – especially when that occasion centered around food.
Artie was preceded in death by his mother who he loved dearly, Connie, in 1985; his father Mario in 1996; his siblings Joseph Victor, Thomas Irving, Frank Robert, John Richard (who died in December, 2022), David Richard; and his daughter Carla. He is survived by his wife, Cristina Chávez Ray; his children Tavia Marie (Edward) Martin, Arthur Christopher (Elessar) Ray, Jr.; his grandchildren, Anthony Ray, Allison (Shane) Watson, Alena Martin, Aaron Ray, Angelica Ray, Julien Martin, Amber Ray, Adriana Ray, and Ava Ray; two great grandchildren, Luna and Xyla Watson; his siblings Myrtle Hodges, Robert Ray, Sabina Jennings, Raul Gonzales, Jose Mendoza, Stella Garcia, and Elvia Islas; his aunt Maria Teresa Garcia Beltran; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family.