Ramon Gonzalez Villicaña

Ramon Gonzalez Villicaña passed away on January 4, 2023 after a brief illness residing in Oxnard for the past 70 years. Ramon was born October 15, 1930 in Villamorelos, Michoacan, Mexico. With only a 6th grade education, Ramon learned enough English to acquire his GED and join the Army of the United States in 1954 where he became a US Citizen. After serving two-years in the Army as a Specialist Third Class, Ramon married the love of his life, Esther Vera, on January 2, 1956.
With a growing family of three children, his wife Esther was instrumental in helping Ramon leave his Gulf Service Station (Mooney's) attendant role, to join the Oxnard Union High School District as a Grounds Maintenance worker and eventually a Bus Driver, all while continuing his college education at Ventura College, and transferring to California State University of Northridge, completing his Bachelor Degree in History / Social Studies in 1974 and earning his Teaching Credential. Ramon was truly an inspiration to many family members and aspiring students. Ramon's perseverance took him from driving high school students to school to the front of the classroom as a teacher in 1975. While Ramon enjoyed his career as a high school teacher, his real passion was teaching ESL courses to his fellow first-generation immigrants, something he continued well beyond his retirement from OUHSD in 1994 and into his early 80's with La Hermandad.
Beyond Ramon's teaching legacy and once retired, he enjoyed running and walking. He was also an avid reader of anything to do with the Mexican Revolution. Our father was also a fan of Mariachi music festivals, Bullfighting and
traveling throughout Mexico and Europe, including a special visit to Our Lady of Lourdes. Ramon also served on the Oxnard Sister City Council for brief period and volunteered his translation services and supported various fund-raising events for over 15 years. Moreover, our Father, Husband, Grandfather and Friend enjoyed sharing these passions and life experiences during gatherings with family loved ones and his closest friend's.
Ramon is preceded in life by his parents, Ernesto Villicaña and Celerina Gonzalez, his brother Tomas Villicaña and two sisters, Josefina Medina and Carmen Lucero.
Ramon is survived by his wife of 67 years Esther, daughter Sylvia Ochoa (spouse Raymond), Ochoa grandchildren Corine Ochoa (great grandchildren Maya & Annalise Escobar, Elijah Morales plus Great great grandchild Dominic Valdivia), Raymond Ochoa Junior, and Laura Ochoa; son Ernest Villicaña (spouse Rachel), Villicaña grandchildren Angelica Villicaña-Preimesberger (spouse Jeremy and great grandchildren Alina & Jackson) and Paloma Villicaña, and his daughter, Susana Marie Villicaña. Ramon is also survived by siblings Paz Iniguez and Salvador Villicaña, as well as multiple cousins, nephews and nieces. Bilingual Memorial Services will take place on January 23, 2023 at Santa Clara Parish Chapel located at 1333 Ventura Blvd, Oxnard, CA 93036. Viewing will begin at 9:00am, followed by Holy Rosary at 9:30 and then Mass at 10:00 AM. Burial to immediately follow at Santa Clara Cemetery, 2370 N. H St., Oxnard, CA 93036.

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