Raymond Perez Morelos Jr.

Raymond “Ray” P. Morelos, Jr. passed away suddenly at the age of 76 years on January 14, 2021
while in the hospital in Tracy after failing to recover from COVID-19 pneumonia.
Ray was born in French Camp, CA on September 28, 1944 to Raymond and Consuelo Morelos and
was raised in Tracy, CA who was a 4th generation Tracyite. He was born while his father was training
in the Army, leaving to fight in the Philippines. His great grandparents migrated from San Miguel de
Allende, Guanajuato, Mexico in 1910 to settle in Tracy and work for the railroad. His grandparents also
migrated in 1919, with his grandfather also working for the railroad and retiring. Both of his parents
were born in boxcars in Tracy, which was known as a Mexican Colony or Mexican Camp. His father and
younger brother also worked for the railroad. Ray attended local schools from kindergarten to his first
year at Tracy High School. As a kid growing up in Tracy, he had the opportunity to work in the fields
topping onions, picking tomatoes, apricots, and almonds.
Due to the conversion from steam to diesel, his father was laid off and he had to move to
Sacramento so his father could continue to work for the railroad. Ray graduated from Burbank Senior High School in Sacramento in June 1963. He
attended Sacramento City College and participated in track and field, and cross country. Unable to get enough units to maintain his student deferment,
he was drafted in June 1965. He told his father he would not go into the Army for two years, but was joining the Marine Corps for 4 years.
His MOS was administrative clerk and by June 1, 1967, he was promoted to Sargent, becoming administrative chief. He received orders to Vietnam
and boarded a plane in December 1967. He had an accident in July of 1968 injuring his knee, sending him home. He was able to learn that he was
on the Staff Sargent’s list. He was sent to Camp Pendleton, being honourably discharged in June 1969. He received his Staff Sargent’s stripes on
April 1, 1970, while in the reserves. Upon his discharge, he returned to Sacramento City College earning his A.A. and also returning to live in Tracy.
Worked at H.J. Heinz during the summers. In 1970 he got involved in a friends campaign for Tracy City Council. Then in October 1971 to 1972, he
worked as a substitute teacher in the Tracy Public Schools. In 1972 to 1973, he worked for the South Tracy Improvement Assoc. Then for a few
months he worked at Tracy High School until he was offered a position as a substance abuse counselor at the Rising Sun, Inc. in Tracy. He worked
for the Rising Sun until December 31, 1980. Also, in 1973 he ran for the Elementary School Board, but was not elected. After leaving the Rising Sun
he enrolled at California State University, Sacramento, got a job in April 1981 as a substance abuse counselor for San Joaquin County.
He married his wife on October 25, 1981 and had two children, Guillermo and Elisa. After 20 years working for San Joaquin County Office of
Substance Abuse as outpatient coordinator he retired in January 2001. He worked an additional 5 years in a private program as program director.
Also, after taking over his wife’s family restaurant, “El Castillo Mexican Restaurant.” In 1981, they both retired in April 2013. Ray first ran for Tracy
City Council in 1974, but was not elected. 10 years later in 1984, he ran again and was elected. He served a total of 6 years on the city council. He
is very proud to be the first Mexican-American elected to the Tracy City Council. He is also proud to be able to claim 50 years of involvement in the
Tracy community serving on countless committees and boards including Sutter Tracy Memorial Hospital Board, Tracy Chamber Board member,
Tracy Chamber Chair, Council of Governments, Tracy Recreation Commission, Main Street Tracy Raymond P. Morelos Jr. Obituary Organization,
City/Tracy Unified School District Liaison, South Side Community Organization, Mayor’s Gang Task Force, Tracy Hispanic Business Group, budget
committees for Tracy Unified School District, Charter member of the Tracy Latin Athletic Club, Tracy City Center Assoc. Board member, Community
Partnership for Families of San Joaquin County, Tracy Chamber Mariachi committee, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, coached Track and
Cross Country at Tracy High School, participated in the San Francisco Marathon, and coached daughters softball team.
He was a devoted member of St. Bernard’s Catholic Church, enjoyed spending time with family and friends, going to Reno each year in September
with his wife, siblings and cousin, enjoyed watching his grandchildren grow up, watching his San Francisco Giants and 49ers, Golden State
Warriors on TV, reading his newspaper each week, getting together with the family for the holidays and simply enjoyed life. He will forever be
remembered for the passion he gave to the community of Tracy through his leadership, integrity, and role model to so many while leaving us with
Tracy written across his heart.
Ray is survived by his loving wife of 39 years, Josie C. Morelos, children; Guillermo Morelos (Rachel), Elisa Barrera (Humberto), grandchildren
Humberto, Isabella, Paula, Leonardo, Khena, Amadeus, and one precious baby girl due in February. He will forever be remembered by his siblings;
Tony (Carmen) Morelos of Fresno, Teresa (Frank) Herrera of Newcastle, Joe (Rosa) Morelos of Sacramento, predeceased by Virgina (Chuck) Bain of
Brownsville by 12 months. Also fondly remembered by numerous nephews, nieces, and extended family and friends.
A Vigil will be held at 6pm on Tuesday, February 2, 2021 at Fry Memorial Chapel, 550 S. Central Ave, Tracy.
Visitation will be from 2pm-9pm.
A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11am on Wednesday, February 3, 2021 at
St. Bernard’s Holy Family Center, 12100 Valpico Rd, Tracy. Graveside services to follow at Tracy Public Cemetery, 501 E. Schulte Rd, Tracy.
Vigil services will be livestreamed via his tribute page at www.frymemorialchpael.com, along with a guestbook for
condolences and special messages to the family.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to https://gofund.me/aa41120e

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