Joaquin “Ray” Castillo Vargas, 95, of Shafter, California passed away on March 20, 2026, with his granddaughter, Knicole by his side, while listening to Vicente Fernández “El Rey”.

Ray was born on September 11, 1930 in La Mesa, New Mexico to Joaquín Vargas and Maria Castillo.

Ray grew up in La Mesa and had a third grade education which he had to stop school to start working to help with the family. At 18 years old he jumped onto a train and headed west. 

He worked in agriculture for 56 years where his work ethic quickly made him a foreman. He met, married and settled in Shafter with his wife Nicolasa before her passing in 2002. He then moved to Bakersfield with his partner of 23 years, Emma. His last few months were spent in Shafter with his family. 

He is proceed in death by his beloved wife, Nicolasa, both his parents, Joaquín and Maria, his brothers, Lupe and Abundio, his daughter, Ramona, his grandson, Mark, Patrick and Matthew Carrasco, and his great grandson, Jonathan Joaquin. And his “compa” Albert Barrera. 

He is survived by his daughters, Monica Vargas Torres (husband Eric Torres) and Knicole Sustaita (partner Paul Barrera), his sons, Vincent Carrasco, and Robert Carrasco (wife Liz Carrasco), and his son-in-law John Davis. 

He is also survived by his partner of 23 years, Emma Gonzalez, his 9 grandchildren, 35 great grandchildren and 78 great great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. 

Ray was a remarkable man who loved nature and growing anything, and everything especially tomatoes, jalapeños and oranges. His orange trees were always the sweetest and he grew everything with love. He made sure to share his passion and hard work ethic with his family. He loved music, and was a great guitar player and also loved boxing and had a mean left hook. His humor was very prominent and gave everybody a nickname. If you came in contact with him, you got one too.

He was extremely proud of his family, despite the last name difference, which never matter to him, he took on the role of dad, grandfather and great grandfather, and did it with a pure heart.

As a family, we would like to acknowledge and give a huge thank you to Hoffman Hospice and their amazing staff especially Kurt, Erin and Mona for keeping grandpa as comfortable as possible. Thank you Monita for your gentleness. A special thank you to El Michoacán Restaurant in Shafter for preparing grandpa’s last meal with such care.

The Barrera family, thank you for everything you’ve done for Ray, letting him live with you when his house burned down to having grandpa there for his last days. Thank you. 

Ray’s legacy of hard work, compassion and strength will continue to live on through his family.