In Loving Memory of Carlos Raygoza

zelle: [phone redacted]

Carlos Raygoza was born March 22, 1973 in San Diego, California to Hector Manuel and Martha Elena (Morando) Raygoza — and passed away in Tucson, Arizona, due to complications from COVID, on December 3, 2020. He was 47 years old.

Raised primarily in California, he attended South High School in Bakersfield where he played football, worked at his family’s restaurant and enjoyed hiking, dogs (any dog would do), camping (he was an avid Cub Scout) and catching a game featuring his beloved 49’ers. Go 9-ers! In his senior year in high school, he moved to Tucson and graduated from Pueblo High, class of ’91. He spent some time at Pima and Southwestern Colleges exploring options in veterinary medicine and criminal justice.

Over the years, he worked in various capacities in security (he considered becoming a police officer) and veterinary services in and around San Diego and the greater Tucson area before committing over two decades as an assistant chief technician at DCI Desert Dialysis where he loved providing his community with critical health services. His work took him regularly throughout Tucson and the Southern Arizona region. He most loved to spend time with his wife and kids watching games, visiting favorite eateries (especially his Mom’s house where the food was free and delicious!) and planning the next family event or vacation.

Carlos is survived by his wife of 20 years, Maria, his three sons, Alex, Christopher and Carlos Jr., his granddaughter, Amelia, his younger sister Andrea and his big brother, Claudio. His half brothers and sisters who loved him dearly are Armida, Christina, Hector Jr., Mark, Frank and Robert. The list of cousins, aunts, uncles, great aunts and uncles, in-laws, second cousins, nephews, nieces, godchildren, dear friends, coworkers, etc., etc., etc., is a list so long it could fill several billboards so suffice to say he will be missed by many. We love you, Carlos. Your smile, your spirit, your joy.

He is preceded in death by his father, Hector, and a granddaughter, Sayuri.

We are asking family and friends, who are so able, to donate towards expenses related to the family’s medical and other needs at this time. Maria and the children have tested positive for the virus and are in various stages of recuperation from its debilitating effects. Carlos wished to eventually have his ashes spread somewhere in San Diego — a city he truly loved to visit and where he first came into the world.

Please be safe. Please be careful and responsible in these troubling times. Someone else’s life and many people’s profound grief may depend on it.

“This too shall pass.”  — Ancient Persian proverb