Born on Oct. 16, 1952 in Santa Barbara to Ramon Zarate and Teresa Angel, Ramon Zarate Angel Jr. was the third of eight children.

As a second generation true native of Santa Barbara, he attended Franklin Elementary, Santa Barbara Junior High, and graduated from Santa Barbara High School in 1970.

Shortly afterward he joined the Local Painters and Allied Trades Union, where he was a loyal member of the union and served as president for a time. Ramon was an active union painter for more than 40 years.

In 1973 Ramon married Patricia Thompson, and they had two daughters Reyna and Tracy.

Ramon (a.k.a. Ray, Angel, Cardine, High Booty and Poppy) was a dedicated family man, an avid fisherman, and a lover of old cars. He spent much of his life fishing for the “Big One” in many destinations, but loved Lake Cachuma (he rarely missed a trout derby) and the Santa Barbara Waterfront above all.

Upon his retirement from the union in the 2000s he fulfilled a lifelong dream of owning a bait shop on Stearns Wharf, which he named Angel’s Bait and Tackle, and built his dream home in Mexico.

Ramon was always restoring or buying and selling classic cars, and rarely owned fewer than five vehicles at a time. He was a classic just like his cars — animated, funny, and full of life. He loved life, people and was known by many. But the greatest joy in life were his loving daughters, five grandchildren, and two great grandchildren.

Sadly and surprisingly he was taken from us too soon due to health complications from a kidney transplant earlier this year. He passed away on Sept. 18, 2022 at the home of his sister Martha Angel, surrounded by family and loved ones.

A special thank you to Martha and her family for providing her home in those final days, Pueblo Del Rey for funeral arrangements, Visiting Nurses for assistance, and most specially for ’round-the-clock care by his devoted daughters and eldest granddaughter. It was an amazing expression of love.

Ramon was preceded in death by his parents Ramon Zarate and Teresa Angel; and his brothers Pantaleon and Alphonso.

He is survived by his daughters Reyna Sorenson Angel (Bobby), and Tracy Alvaro Angel (Rudy); ex-wife Patricia Angel; grandchildren Ciela Angel (Marco), Paloma, Izabella, Santino and Serena; great grandchildren Amarina and Isaiah; siblings Clara, Luis, Robert, Jesus and Martha; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Santa Barbara will never be quite the same without you, Ray! He was a legend and legends live on forever.

Services will be held at Our Lady of Sorrows Church, 21 E. Sola St. Rosary service 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 27; Funeral mass, 10 a.m. Wednesday Sept. 28. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery with reception following at the Veteran’s Hall 112 W. Cabrillo Blvd. All are welcome.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Neal Taylor Center at Lake Cachuma.