Raymond V. Bernal

Raymond V. Bernal 88, born November 4, 1924, passed away on July 22, 2013 in his home surrounded by his family. He leaves behind his beloved wife Juanita; children, Raymond V. "Sonny" Bernal, Jr. (Cherie), Monica Bainum (Lee), Ricardo Bernal and Irma Bernal (David Pope) as well as many grand and great-grandchildren. Father had a very good work career that began as a track laborer in May 1940 then a locomotive hostler from 1942 to 1943. He served our country in the Air Force from 1943 to 1945 where he received The Air Medal five times, three bronze stars for D-Day, Battle of the Bulge and Rhine River Bridge. The day after his discharge he went back to work for Southern Pacific Railroad as a Relief Foreman, then continued as a foreman until 1962. He was honored to be the first Hispanic foreman on SP and as a foreman he laid the first Ribbon Rail in the State of Arizona. SP Railroad would not promote so he left to work for Bell Aerospace/Lockhead Electronics where he was quickly promoted to Supervisor then to Support Superintendent. Dad's own words, "I was a high school dropout and all the rest were college people." In 1973 he became a Federal track inspector until his retirement. Visitation will be on Friday, July 26, 2013 at MARTINEZ FUNERAL CHAPELS from 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., followed by a Visitation at Holy Family Church at 10:00 a.m., Rosary 10:30 a.m. and Mass at 11:00 a.m. Interment with Military Honors will be at Holy Hope Cemetery. Arrangements by MARTINEZ FUNERAL CHAPELS, 2580 S. 6th Ave., Tucson, AZ.