Raymond Edward Smith

Raymond Edward Smith (Ray) 60, of Castaic, California passed away on January 13th 2021.

Ray was born August 22nd 1960 in Los Angeles California at UCLA hospital to Byron and Roberta Smith; his father an aerospace engineer and mother a business owner and scouting mom. He was a Native Los Angeles Californian And grew up in Simi Valley, California. He ran track and played baseball for his high school, Royal High School. As a young boy Ray liked to fix things from bicycles to go karts racing cars, he was hired at age 14 after he told the owner of the go kart rental business he could fix a go kart racing car, because a lot of them were broken down. The owner was surprised and then hired him after seeing what he could do in a short time. In his earlier days Ray liked racing motorcycles, he was a champion BMX motocross racer always pushing the edge of his abilities. He was high spirited, full of energy and a little bit of a rebel. He said once he got pulled over for riding a wheelie on his motorcycle down his parent’s street where he grew up. Even later in life Ray had a passion for dirt bike motocross racing, he developed and administered the website for motocross madness, MDX racing. (mdxracing.com)

Ray was a machine repair tech for 25 years and 16 years running his own business All Industrial Machinery Repair. He held titles as head Machine Technician/Shop Foreman, Maintenance Manager/Environmental Manager, Maintenance Mechanic, Product Manager and then leading to his own business as Machine Tech/Owner. He was a precision welder custom fabricator. He mastered the ability to rebuild and modify machinery to the owner’s desired wishes. Ray would start his morning at 4am and leave for work at 5am, driving sometimes 100 miles or more depending on where the customer was located. Ray enjoyed his job and the people he met. He always treated his customers fairly and sometimes gave them a break due to the economy downfall.

Ray had a very close relationship with his parents, sharing all holidays and Birthdays together, mostly at a family restaurant named The Bear Pit. He was especially close to his dad that he admired and respected, they shared the same interest in solar, wind-power and electronics. They both would talk a lot about inventions. Like his dad, Ray was interested in SMD components and circuit boards; he used these essential components to build circuit boards for solar power purposes. A few years back Ray built a solar tracker in the backyard that took up the whole yard. He also was fascinated with wind-power and built a windmill that he attached to the back of the house, he later took it down for sake of the HOA. While out camping at Rincon Beach he put the windmill on the back of the motorhome for power to save on the generator. He enjoyed the attention and talking to people, as they were curious about it.

Ray was married three times

His third marriage was to Janice on March 18, 2000 – January 13, 2021 after two years dating since November 1998 Ray and Janice were married in Las Vegas NV. Together they raised two wonderful children, his son Brandon born in 2001 and Matthew his stepson.

His second marriage to Sue lasted approx.10 years with no children.

His first marriage to Irene lasted approx.10 years with two children, son Raymond Jr. and daughter April

Janice: Ray would joke around with me and say he is only good for a 10-year marriage, but I told him at 10 years that he owed me 10 more years. My husband was wonderful, he made me feel beautiful, secure and safe from the whole world. He filled my life with love and laughter and set my imagination on fire, he amazed me by building everything I had dreamed up, but I didn’t really expect him to fulfill my quests. We did everything together, neither one of us made a move without discussing it with the other, I guess that’s what made our marriage so great. He loved to surprise me with flowers and was very romantic and loving. He was my best friend, fun to be around and at times liked to joke around to see if he could get away with telling me an unbelievable story; but I always knew when he was doing that because I always saw a hidden smirk on his face. I feel very proud, lucky and blessed to have had him as my husband. Ray was also a wonderful dad; He always put his family first. He loved family holidays getting together and having fun, he loved joking around with friends and family and everyone he met. On his days off he enjoyed being in his garage and chatting with the neighbors, helping whoever needed a hand. After his heart attack in 2014 Ray was back to work in less than a month he said he felt great. In the six years he had left he was needed tremendously, his youngest son had Scoliosis and had to have back surgery in 2016. He also attended his youngest son’s high school graduation in 2019.

He gave us all the gift of knowing him and filled our hearts with so many wonderful memories. He is truly missed by all that knew him. I love you Ray

Ray passed away the evening of January 13 th 2021, after returning home from a three-week stay at the hospital, after suffering a heart attack at home on Dec 19th 2020.

Ray is survived by his wife Janice of 20 years and 10 mos. His son Brandon, stepson Matthew of Santa Clarita, Ca. Son Raymond Jr. (Nece) of Montgomery Texas, Daughter April of Lancaster Ca., Three brothers Byron (Cindy) of Virginia, Jeff of Texas and Walter of Moorpark, Ca. His Mother, Roberta Smith of Simi Valley, Ca. Uncle Richard (Geri) Poulter of Arizona. Extended family includes nieces and nephews and 5 grandchildren. Ray is preceded in death by his father Byron Edwin Smith Sr. and Grandmother Adaline Hartnett Poulter.