Raymond S Ponce was born on November 9, 1927, in Piru to his parents Guadalupe and Esperanza Ponce and was a resident of Piru for 98 years. Raymond passed away on Thursday, December 25, 2025.
He attended Piru School, Fillmore Jr. High and High School and graduated in 1946. He went into the Army on April 7,1953, had his basic training at Fort Ord, and then went to Camp Stoneman. He shipped overseas to Korea on Oct. 7, 1953. for 1 year. On Oct. 7, 1954, he returned to Oahu, Hawaii where stationed and discharged on March 23,1955. He was part of the 25th division, 27 the regiment in the infantry. During his time in the infantry, Raymond was promoted to Sergeant. He received the Korean Service Medal, UN Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal.
He met the love of his life Elma Real. They were married on April 10, 1955, in Fremont. Ca.
Raymond worked as a Rancher for Newhall Land & Farming, Basolo Ranch and Lastly Willow Grove Ranch where he retired in 2008 and continued to work part-time until 2016. He also served as a Reserve firefighter for Ventura County Fire Dept. for 28 years in Piru. He was a member of the American Legion Fillmore Post 0481, Fillmore Club, and the San Salvador Mission Men’s Club.
Raymond is survived by his beloved wife Elma Ponce and their four children Fred Ponce (Yvonne), Lonnie Ponce (Kathy), Raymond Ponce, and Joyce Lugo. He has 11 grandchildren, and 21 great grandchildren.
Raymond enjoyed hunting, camping with his family at his favorite campground Convict Lake and family gatherings. Raymond preceded in death by parents Guadalupe and Esperanza Ponce, brothers Geronimo Ponce, Charles Ponce, Joe Ponce, Guadalupe Ponce, sisters Mollie Ramirez, Conception Ponce, and great-grandson Fred R. Ponce III.
The family would like to thank our sister Joyce Lugo for “being there and helping our mom with the care of our dad.”
A Rosary will begin at 7:00pm on Thursday, January 15, 2026, and a Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00am on Friday, January 16, 2026, at San Salvador Mission Parish, 4045 E. Center Street, Piru, California. Interment to follow at Piru Cemetery, 3600 Center Street, Piru, California.
Out of respect for the family, reception will be immediate family only.
To sign the family’s online guestbook please visit our website: www.santapaulafuneralhome.com and locate Raymond’s name in “Recent Obituaries.”
Funeral Arrangements are under the direction of the Family Owned & Operated Robert Rey Garcia Jr., Funeral Services, Santa Paula, CA (805) 229.7054.