K-234-16

Obituary

June 22, 1948 - December 4, 2019

Edberto “Brother Ed” G Ronquillo, 71, of Shafter, entered into God’s throne room on December 4, 2019. He was born June 22, 1948 to Edberto V Ronquillo and Anita G Ronquillo.

Ed, the most devoted and loving husband, father and grandfather, is survived by his wife, Raquel; daughters, Katie, Raquel and Anita; son-in-law, Eliseo; granddaughters, Priscilla, Isabel, Annalisa, Vanessa, Angelica, Daliah, Delilah; grandson’s, Alfonso, Jose Ricardo Jr., Abel; great-grandsons’s, Andres and Alexander; siblings Patricia Ronquillo Medina, Anita Ronquillo, Matilde Ronquillo, David Ronquillo, Cynthia Ronquillo.

Upon graduation from Pueblo High School in Tucson, Arizona, Ed joined the NAVY to serve his country.  During and after leaving the military, he served as a fire fighter in South Tucson, Arizona. He was very proud of his service and made sure everyone got a glimpse of his badge. He didn’t let you touch it but you could definitely look at it.

Ed was a jack of many trades. In addition to serving, he worked in the family business, Ronquillo’s Bakery, for many years. He was a talented baker and made the best empanadas you could ever imagine. Ed also worked as a state certified agriculture inspector in northern California where he met the love of his life, the woman who would stand beside him through thick and thin, Raquel. After she passed his “inspection” they married in 1978.

They loaded their family into their car and made the journey to Kern County where they planted their roots remaining there for the next 41 years. Ed had the natural talent and personality to make friends no matter the situation, and his giggles were infectious to those around him. He gave his life to the Lord and became a Christian believer serving at La Rosa De Saron in Shafter for many years. He made life-long friends and some who even became family such as Rev. Jimmy Murrieta. Ed used his BBQ abilities to help raise church funds for Missionaries, which was his mother-in-law, Anita Soto’s passion. He also assisted an awesome Christian teenage group where his daughter, Anita, attended school at the Shafter Free Will Baptist Church.  He was known as “Medicine Man” to the church’s football team. Ed loved those guys as if they were his own sons. A man known for his BBQ tri-tip and chicken with a mouth-watering special secret BBQ sauce that he never shared, not even with his own daughters. He participated in many festivals including the local Shafter Cinco De Mayo. The lines in the Ronquillo’s booth would be so demanding with Raquel inside chopping away and Ed in the back on the huge BBQ trailer talking to the locals and yelling in a loving way (not really) at his daughter Anita to hurry up with the next tray.

Ed was truly a great man whose impact will forever be felt by the family that loves him dearly and knows that they will see each other again. He was a selfless man whose passing has left a hole that only God can fill. His ability to love, sacrifice, provide, support and forgive will forever be lessons to all he knew.

Eds’ only regret is that he will not know if Trump got re-elected or impeached; or if the Dallas Cowboys would ever make it to the Super Bowl again; but, don’t worry Dad, we’ll let you know when we get there.