Raymond M. Tavizon, Jr., was born in Deming, New Mexico, on February 18, 1963, to Raymond and Mary Tavizon. He passed away on February 16, 2024, at his home after a brief and courageous battle with ALS.

Ray was raised in Lordsburg, but the family settled in Silver City when he was a boy.  This is where Ray called home. 

He proudly served as a Law Enforcement Officer for 37 years.  He began his career as a Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office jailer. He worked for the City of Lordsburg Police Department as an officer, Lieutenant and Assistant Chief.  In 1997, he began serving Grant County.  He served as a Deputy until he was assigned to the Region 7 Drug Task Force.  Ray was then assigned to the Criminal Investigation Division. He retired as a Sergeant in 2022.  During his career, he was a mentor and friend to many officers.  He took pride in serving.  He was presented with many awards and certificates during his career.  He was a Firearms Instructor for many years and enjoyed telling the funniest stories about his time on the Range. 

Ray took pride in helping kids.  He helped many of them prepare their show animals for the Fair. He loved helping and watching his children and grandchildren raise their own show animals.

He enjoyed his animals and being a Farrier.  He took great pleasure in training mules and horses.  He used them for back-country hunting and pack trips. Many of his friends experienced their first pack trips with Ray.  He was always ready to go on the next adventure. With a strong cup of coffee, he found joy in watching the sun rise over his camp.

Ray took in so many young men who needed his guidance and love.  He taught them, mentored them, and treated them like they were his own.  He taught these young men how to hunt and cowboy up.  These men admire him and give Ray credit for being the men they are today.

Ray is survived by his wife, just shy of 43 years, Peggy Jo Pruit Tavizon, his children Matthew of Silver City, Timothy and wife Melinda of Silver City, Nicole and Josh of Lordsburg, and all the others who called him Dad. He loved his many grandkids and great-grandkids. Ray is also survived by his brother Louis and sister Lisa. He also had a lot of nieces and nephews that he loved as his own.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Armando and Freddy, and his granddaughter Angelea.

A Visitation and Celebration of Life will take place at six o’clock in the evening on Monday, February 26, 2024 at Baca’s Funeral Chapel in Silver City, NM. A Recitation of the Holy Rosary will begin at ten o’clock in the morning on Tuesday, February 27, 2024 at Saint Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Silver City. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated immediately thereafter. The Rite of Committal and Interment will follow at Memory Lane Cemetery in Silver City with Honors accorded. Father Oliver Obele will officiate.

Pallbearers will be Rodney Plowman, Jason Jordan, Melvin Castillo, Mike Yost, Lou Tavizon Jr. and Javier Hernandez.

Honorary Pallbearers are his brother Louis Tavizon Sr., JB Britton, Harold Goodyear, Justin McCarty, Brandon Smith, Brian Meyer and CJ Simmons. 

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