February 14, 1949 – June 20, 2026

Raymond (Ray) was born in San Francisco, CA on February 14, 1949, and died peacefully at home in Grass Valley, CA, on June 20, 2026. He was 77 years young and has joined God Almighty.

He was preceded in death by his father Ray P. Ortiz of San Francisco. Ray is survived by his wife of 56½ years, Delia Ortiz of Grass Valley; his sons Anthony Ortiz, and Raymond Ortiz Jr.; mother, Stella Ortiz; eight grandchildren Merisa, RaeAnna, Nicholas, Stormie, Joseph, Aaliyah, Owen, and Emma; and two great-grandchildren, Sherry and Hendrix.

Ray graduated from Mountain View High School in Mountain View, CA in 1967. After graduation he enlisted in The United State Marine Corps for three years (1967-1970). He engaged for thirteen months of combat in North Vietnam in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). He fought against Vietnamese Army and the Viet Cong. The areas were Con Thien, Khe Sanh, Rock Pile, Cam Lo, Delta5, LZ Stud, Tun Tavern, The Ashaw Valley (twice), Dong Ha – just to name a few. Ray was wounded in Charlie 2 and was presented the Purple Heart. He also experienced two Tet Offenses (Chinese New Year) in 1968 and 1969. The mission was to support the 9th Marines known as the Walking Dead. He suffered from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (P.T.S.D.).

The two most important gifts that kept him going was his mom’s food packages, including a birthday cake and a teddy bear that traveled to Vietnam with him, with the promise to his sister Diana to return alive along with the bear.

March of 1969, he left Vietnam and was stationed in 29 Palms Marine Corps Base in Twenty-Nine Palms, CA. On May of 1969, he met his wife to be Delia Nunez and later married on October 17, 1969.

In the spring of 1970, he was awarded an Honorable Discharge from the Marine Corps, received Combat Action Ribbons, Campaign Medals, Combat infantry badge, and acknowledgment of the Presidential Unit Citation Medal.

He worked as a wholesale butcher for fifteen years and retired as a Quality Control Inspector for United Technology Chemical Systems in San Jose, CA. Ray was responsible for approving government contracts that involved the Titan Missiles, space shuttles, Tomahawks, etc.

Ray also coached his son’s soccer and football teams in the Bay Area.

His hobbies were weight lifting, sports (football, boxing, tennis), music, and dancing.

Ray will always be remembered for his honesty, strength, and a giving heart. But mostly he verbally expressed himself in a strong manner (he told it like it was).

A Visitation will take place at Hooper and Weaver Mortuary in Nevada City on July 18, 2026, at noon, followed by a Memorial Service at 1:00 p.m. and a Graveside with Military Honors will follow. A reception will follow at the Ortiz Residence, 10414 Luna Dr, Grass Valley, CA.