Raymon Maldonado

Raymon (Ray) Tirso Maldonado, 16, passed away suddenly on Monday, February 12th, 2024. Born on July 2, 2007, in Los Alamos, NM, Ray was a beloved child of Victor and Dawn Marie (Kernodle) Maldonado and little brother to Arianna. He attended Barranca and Pinon Elementary Schools, as well as Los Alamos Middle and High Schools. During summer breaks, Ray worked in his family business, stating that the best part of the job was shoveling gravel because it gave him a good workout. He recently attended Young Life and White Rock Baptist church where he enjoyed being part of the youth group.

Ray loved learning, which was cultivated by many great teachers who encouraged him to pursue his passions. In elementary school, one of his teachers described him as having a strong sense of social justice because he defended the weak and stood up against bullies. In high school, Ray excelled in robotics, computers, and DECA. He was intelligent, ingenious, and tech savvy, and yet loved deeply, was compassionate, and carried other’s burdens as his own. His friends described him as a true friend, a motivator, a brother, a scout, a great friend, kind, Godly, committed to his church youth group, Young Life, and working out at the gym. His latest joy was having the freedom to drive himself and his friends.

Ray fostered many talents and interests including culinary skills as encouraged by his aunt and father, online gaming, mountain biking, and challenging his friends and family with thought-provoking videos. He loved the outdoors and was excellent at starting campfires- a skill he learned from his father.

Ray is survived by his parents, Victor and Dawn Marie Maldonado; his sister Arianna Maldonado and brother-in-law Drew Bingham and coming nephew; his maternal grandparents, Alan Kernodle and Alice Kernodle; and many uncles, aunts, cousins, and heart family. Ray was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents Tirso Maldonado Zuniga and Esperansa Rodriguez Arellano.

A memorial service and viewing, open to all who knew Ray, will be held at White Rock Baptist Church on Monday, February 26th, 2024, at 4:00 pm with reception to follow. Contributions may be made to Ray Maldonado Memorial Fund at the Los Alamos Schools Credit Union.

Please feel encouraged to leave loving stories and pictures of Ray and condolences for his family here, updated each morning.