Raymond B. Alderete Sr. Passed away January 28, 2021, inches away from 100 years old. He passed away peacefully in his sleep lying next to his beloved wife Anna May. They both resided at Atria Senior Living in San Juan Capistrano.

• Raymond was born April 26, 1921 in Las Cruces, New Mexico to his beloved parents Lillie and Antonio Alderete. His parents moved to East Los Angeles when Raymond was 3 years old along with his sister Martha. His brother Edward was born in California who now lives in Arizona. Raymond attended Roosevelt High School in East Los Angeles and graduated with the class of 1938. Raymond had loving and supportive parents that supported his love for baseball, they attended all of his baseball games.
• Raymond was raised Catholic. He played baseball in his neighborhood next to the Catholic Church. This was considered to be the heartbeat of the "Barrio Baseball" community for both US born and immigrant players. He was 18 years old when he started to play for the Carmelita Chorizeros. They won 19 city championships in a span of three decades. His coach was Joe Macias who was considered to be a tough and a very disciplined coach. One day during one of their practices, Joe's daughter Anna May who was 14 years old at the time, stopped by to see her father. This was the moment she met Raymond for the first time. Raymond continued to play pro ball for many years. The next time he met Anna May was was seven years later when she was 21 years old. They both fell in love and married on October 15th, 1947. Anna May was very supportive of Ray's baseball career, she loved watching him play and watching her father coach as well. She attended every game and supported every team Ray played for.

Raymond played for Ontario Orioles in 1947, he played both 3rd base and short stop. His career batting average was .240 with 4 home runs and 36 RBI's. His 375 game career also included playing for the Riverside Rubes, Riverside Dons, Porterville Packers and El Centro Imperials.

Ray and Anna May first beautiful daughter was Linda. In 1949 Ray was offered a contract to play baseball in Guadalajara, Mexico for the team in Jalisco. They lived there for one year and won the championship. Linda was a baby in her mother's arms who travelled all through Mexico, sitting in the bleachers, watching and cheering on Raymond. Anna May loved and supported Raymond throughout his entire baseball career, unfortunately it ended in 1950.

In 1960, Raymond and Anna May started their own Swimming Pool Company - "Don Ramon Pools". They had four more children as well: Raymond Jr., Robert, Loraine & Loretta. As all five children grew up, they attended Catholic school in Los Angeles. Linda, their first born, was Miss Los Angeles in High School and represented Los Angeles in a beauty pageant in Mazatlan, Mexico. Raymond was very proud of his daughter and how she spoke Spanish so eloquently in the pageant.

Over the years, Raymond & Anna May fell in love with golf. Raymond decided to teach the boys golf first. Ray Sr. didn't want Ray Jr. or Robert to be professional baseball players. He felt they could better control their own destiny if they pursued a career in golf. Ray Sr. knew with a career in baseball, at any time they could be traded to another team. Ray Sr. was a very devoted father to his kids teaching them how to play both baseball and golf. Next, he taught his nine year old daughter Loraine how to play golf. Back then, not many girls played this sport. At the time, their youngest daughter Loretta was 3 years old so she was too young to to get started. Despite Loretta's age, Anna May would still put her in the sand trap to play next to all of her older siblings. After school, the Alderete children would practice golf everyday. Since they lived on the first hole of Montebello Golf Course, it was easy for Anna May to take the kids to the driving range. On the weekends, the kids would play 18 holes together, they were known as 'the' golfing family. Raymond always made golf fun to learn for his kids. He always came up with new ways to practice and to earn rewards for their hard work. He would tell his kids, if anyone breaks a 70 in an 18 hole junior golf tournament, they would get a car. Also, he would have chipping contests with his kids, like closest to the pin. He would also have putting contests on the putting green until it was dark outside. Ray Sr. knew, to be a champion, you had to have a great short game and be a good putter as well … Ray Sr. was a great putter. Raymond was a very generous father as well. If he had a new golf club and one of his kids liked it, he would give it to them immediately. His kids always use to tease him because he never had a full set of clubs in his golf bag. Raymond & Anna May sacrificed a lot to become members of the best Country Clubs so their children could play everyday on the toughest courses. The goal was to create champions. Raising five kids wasn't easy, having four of them play at the same time required a lot of patience and love. Raymond & Anna May had both. Anna May would discipline the kids and make sure the kids practiced everyday while Raymond took on the role of being their teacher. He was a fun Dad and excellent instructor who showed his children a better way to play golf. Raymond dreamed that one day, his children would become professional golfers. Fortunately for Raymond, dreams do come true. Robert, Loraine and Loretta all played professionally. When you include Ray Jr., all four children received golf scholarships as well. Ray Jr. was the number one player on the golf team for San Diego State. Ray Sr. & Anna May made sure to attend every golf tournament for all of their children. They walked every step on every course for every college, amateur and pro tournament they could attend. While Loretta made the cut and played in the LPGA, Loraine and Robert toured as well.

In 1976, Ray Jr. Joined Ray Sr. in the family pool business. Together, they started 20th Century Pools in Buena Park, CA. Ray Jr. helped his father take the business to the next level. Because of this commitment, Ray Jr. sacrificed his pro golf career for his family. 20th Century Pools grew to become a powerhouse in the swimming pool industry. Robert opened up an office in Temecula, and, Ray Sr. & Loraine opened up another office in Palm Springs. Ultimately, Linda and Loretta joined them in Palm Springs to help build the company footprint. Ray Sr. loved having his wife and kids around him all the time, they always tried to do everything together.

Raymond leaves behind :
Children: Linda Alderete, Raymond Jr. & Cindi Alderete, Robert Alderete,
Loraine & Isaac Levy, & Loretta Alderete
Raymond was also an amazing Grandpa who loved all his grandkids & great grandkids. He also taught them how to play baseball & golf as well

Grandchildren:
Richard & Cemida Freyre, Brandon & Dominique Freyre, Justin & Janelle Freyre, Chantelle & Albert, Ashlee Alderete, J'Men Alderete, C'era Alderete, Mateo, Jessica & Van Levy
Shea & Catalina Alderete, Toby Alderete

Great Grandchildren:
Conrad & Nolan Levy, Christian Freyre, Dior & Tula Freyre
Kiera, Priscilla, Taylor and Adalyn Alderete, Niko Alderete.

Up until his 80's, Ray Sr. had the opportunity to play golf with his children and grandchildren as well. As one can see, playing golf was a family affair that kept him close to his family. He was a very loving husband who adored Anna May. Over the 74 years that they were married, he watched over and worried about her right up until the very end. They were very happy together and enjoyed living at Atria Senior Living. The friends they have there and the staff were always so wonderful to them. The staff loved Ray Sr. and Anna May, they mentioned how Ray Sr. always made them laugh. He was a very warm and loving person that always hugged and kissed everyone in his family. Joking around and making everyone laugh was always part of the atmosphere he created. He had a great smile and enjoyed talking with everyone. Also, he was very outgoing, social and had many friends throughout the years. He was very close to his children and grand children by texting and Face Timing with them. He always made sure to look at pictures every night, just prior to going to bed. He would always say, my grand babies are my true pleasure. Ray Sr. was 99 years young. He will always be in all of the hearts he touched. We love you so much and will miss you terribly. You were our mentor in life and taught us how important family is.