Rafael (Ralph) Rada Rendon, age 67, passed away in his home in Oxnard, California, surrounded by his loving family on Friday, November 10, 2017. He was born on October 15, 1950, in Alaminos, Pangasinan in the Philippines to Felipe and Maria (Rada) Rendon, in their family home. The family came to the United States in 1956 and Ralph was raised in the Los Angeles area along with his siblings, Felipe, Guillermo, Romulo and Marfel. He entered the U.S. Army in 1970, and was stationed stateside at Fort Dix and overseas in Germany before proudly defending our country’s freedom as an Army Recon Specialist 4th Class in Vietnam. While on a recon mission, Ralph sustained injuries when his tank was hit by a landmine, for which he was awarded a Purple Heart. After being honorably discharged in 1971, Ralph attended and graduated from Los Angeles Trade Tech College, became a heavy equipment mechanic and eventually retired as a shop foreman from Vulcan Materials in 2014. On February 19, 1972, he married his soul mate, Emily Clarie Stilgenbauer. Together, they settled in Oxnard, where they built a home of love and laughter and raised their three children – Jennifer, Rachelle and Robert (Robby). Ralph and Emily enjoyed dancing through life, traveling together, exploring the Hawaiian Islands, and spending time making special memories with loved ones, especially their grandchildren and great-grandchild. Ralph’s interests and hobbies included woodworking, tending to his prized avocado tree and plumeria plants, deep sea fishing for the big whopper, strumming his guitar around the dining room table, discovering new places to eat and revisiting old favorites, practicing tai chi, and cheering on his children and grandchildren at every opportunity. He enjoyed spirited competition with family and friends playing cards and games, like five crowns, phase 10, scrabble and backgammon. He is survived by his beloved wife of 45 years, Emily; son, Robby (Kirstin Keagy); daughters, Rachelle Lopez (David) and Jennifer; seven grandchildren – Samantha, Nathan (Kassi), DJ, Joseph, Juliana, Logan and Abrielle; one great-grandson, Xavier; brothers, Felipe (Jeanne) and Guillermo; sister, Marfel Kusko (Glen); many nieces and nephews; and numerous extended family members and cherished friends. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the GoFundMe campaign in support of Ralph’s godson, Declan Diaz, and his recent diagnosis and fight against Osteosarcoma. https://www.gofundme.com/declans-fight-against-osteosarcoma
Family and friends are invited to attend a Celebration of Life Memorial Service on Sunday November 19, 2017 at 10am in the JOSEPH P. REARDON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICE, 757 E. Main Street Ventura.