ESTEVES, Raymond J. (Ray)

Arizona Silver Belt, Globe, Arizona Wednesday, May 26th, 2010 Raymond J. Esteves, age 81 of Miami, Ariz., passed away at his home on Monday, May 17, 2010. Ray was born in Saint Bernard Parish, Lou., on April 30, 1929. He served in the US Navy for four years, the US Army two years and the Navy Reserve for two years. Raymond spent his younger years living in Louisiana before he went into the Army in 1946. He came to Miami, Ariz. in 1951 with his family and began working at the Inspiration Consolidated Copper Company. In 1955 he was recalled to serve in the Korean War while his family stayed in Miami and managed the McKay Hotel. He returned home in 1957 and went back to work for ICCC. In the early 1960s Ray and his wife Pearl managed the “Vandal Inn Restaurant” in Miami and then moved on to bring to Miami the one and only, single wide trailer restaurant, called “Ray’s Café,” which later was sold and called Fay’s Café. Ray moved back to Mississippi in 1978 with his son Jerry, after the death of his beloved wife Pearl. Ray worked as an Electrical Designer for a DuPont Plant until his retirement in 1991. Ray wore many hats in his lifetime; he was a refrigeration man, an electrician, a restaurant owner, a bar owner, a home builder, the family barber, a hotel manager and an appliance repairman at Globe Electric. He was and will be remembered as a true businessman and he loved to plan and build things. Throughout the years Ray traveled many miles between Arizona and Mississippi and finally settled down in Miami, Ariz. in 1994 to be close to family and friends. Ray was a proud man and he loved his family and was looked upon by many, as a mentor. Ray was and is loved by many and he will truly be missed by all. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ella Pearl, and his son, Jerry Esteves. Ray leaves behind his son Michael (Judy) Esteves; four grandchildren, Christopher (Sara) Allen, Brandon (Crystal) Allen, Christopher (Jessica) Esteves, Monica (Rick) Murphy, and 14 great grandchildren; his sister, Thelma Snelgrove; nieces, Carolyn (Jim) Gillis, Sue (Ronnie) Valdez, Myra Lott; and nephews, Glen (Debbie) Snelgrove, David (Teddy) Lott, Alan (Lori) Lott; and many great nieces and nephews. A memorial service was held at the Jehovah’s Witnesses Kingdom Hall in Globe on Saturday, May 22. The family requests that memorial donations be made in Raymond’s name to the Jehovah’s Witnesses Kingdom Hall in Globe. Arrangements for Raymond J. Esteves were entrusted to Miles Funeral Services.