Rene (Ray) V. Zarate

October 20, 1947 – June 25, 2017

Rene (Ray) V. Zarate left to meet his maker Sunday, June 25, 2017 in Seattle after a short illness. Ray was born on Oct. 20, 1947 in Brownsville, Texas to Pedro and Fernanda Zarate. The family moved to Moses Lake in the ’50s. Ray graduated from Moses Lake and then proudly served his country in the Vietnam war. Upon his release he returned home. Many times he was heard saying he wished he could have gone back there.

Ray had some passions in his life. One was the deep connections he made with friends. Ray was very generous and kind to all the people he met, always ready to help in any way, even if he went without his own needs. Ray had many lifelong friends. Another passion was Ray’s love of motorcycles. He was well known in the biker community. Ray was also known to raise a little hell now and again with his club brothers. Ray always dreamed of having a piece of land in the country where he could have a horse and other critters. His dream was realized later in life and then considered his life complete.

Ray suffered some serious health issues, such as losing a leg while riding his Harley. It did not stop him from riding. Ray was a fighter, riding to Sturgis after that. His smile was infectious, even through the pains, of which there were many.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents and brothers Henry, Johnny and Peter Zarate. He is survived brothers Al, Sergio (Gail) and Richard (Charlene) Zarate and sisters Aurora Gonzalez, Cecilia (Dennis) Wojdan and Josie (Ram) Martinez. Ray is also survived by his children Tonia, Monica, Sara, Dusty Blue and Desiree Zarate and also Brandi Larsen. Along with all those mentioned Ray will be missed by his grandchildren Enrique and Anthony Castro, Mari Gurerro, Juan and Angel Mena, Aurello, Rene and Victoria Uribe, Juan C. Hernandez Jr, and Joey W. Flores. There are so many more extended family, friends and his chosen brothers that will miss him.

Rosary will be July 13, 2017 at 10:15, with a Mass to follow at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church on Dale Road in Moses Lake. The Celebration of life will be a potluck at Zamora Park.

Ride hard, ride free Zambezie! GFFG