Raymond fought a courageous battle with MDS/acute myeloid leukemia and succumbed to the disease on Wednesday, May 9th, 2012 with his family at his bedside.

Raymond was born in Santa Maria on February 18, 1940 and raised in Lompoc on the Sousa Ranch located on Mail Road along the Santa Ynez River. As the youngest of 10 children, he spent his youth helping on the family ranch, growing crops and raising cattle. When the ranch was sold in 1961, he continued his love of farming by growing grains and vegetables throughout Santa Barbara County.

He attended Lompoc schools and enlisted in both the active and the reserve Navy. Throughout his career, Raymond worked as a truck driver, heavy equipment operator, self-employed farmer, and owned and operated "Sousa Truck Service" hauling various commodities throughout California. In his younger years he traveled extensively throughout the United States working for Sambo's Corporation. Raymond recently retired from Coastline Equipment in Santa Maria, CA.

Raymond was a man of few words, but was notable for his unique sense of humor and his infectious laugh. He was a hands-on father who was devoted to his children. Raymond loved the outdoors and spent many hours in his vegetable garden, pruning and grafting trees, fishing and traveling. He loved to can fruits and vegetables and make pies. Raymond's passion was growing giant pumpkins and entering them into state contests. This year, his brothers in law will carry on his passion.

Raymond married Georgene Taylor in 1960. Together they had three children. In 1987 he married his current wife, Clare Belluz and they had two children.

Raymond is survived by his wife Clare, of 25 years; his son Greg (Loretta) of Burbank, CA.; his daughters Tiffany and Jill from Lompoc, CA.; his daughter Kate, from Oakland, CA.; his grandson, William, from Burbank, CA.; his sister, Gloria Carmichael, from Santa Barbara, CA.; his brothers Victor (Helen) from Lompoc, Celestino (Suzanne) from Santa Barbara, CA., Peter from Ventura, CA.; and numerous nieces and nephews.

His parents, Joe A. and Leonilda Sousa; his infant daughter, Teresa Ann; his sister, Marguerite Locarnini; and his brothers Alfred Domingos, Joseph, Richard, and Francis Sousa preceded him in death.

Visitation will be held at Starbuck-Lind Mortuary on Thursday, May 17th from 4 P.M. to 8 P.M. with the rosary beginning at 7 P.M. A Mass of Christian burial will be held for Raymond on Friday, May 18th at 10 A.M. at La Purisima Catholic in Lompoc, California. Inurnment will follow at Lompoc Cemetery. The reception will follow at the Belluz House located at 1113 North A St. in Lompoc.

Contributions may be made in Raymond's memory to La Purisima School at 219 West Olive Avenue, Lompoc, CA and/or Wounded Warriors Project Online at https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org.