Rafael "Ray"Richard Infante Jr., 81, of Iliff, passed away Jan. 9, 2014, in Sterling. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 11, at New Beginnings Outreach, with Pastor David L. Baines and Pastor Felix Reyes officiating. Interment will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 11, at Ovid Cemetery.

Ray was born Dec. 15, 1932, in Julesburg to Rafael Infante Sr. and Concepcion (Mesquita) Infante. He attended Ovid High School.

Ray began working to help his family at an early age. He rose to the position of foreman with Charmers & Borgman, overseeing grain elevator construction in the tri-state area. In 1966, he started Infante Construction doing remodeling, concrete work and other areas in construction. Even at the age of 80, Ray was sought for this expertise in his field.

He married Connie Garcia in Ogallala, Neb.

Ray attended a variety of churches in northeastern Colorado. He judged Golden Gloves Boxing for many years.

He is survived by his daughters, Mary and Linda; sons, Chris, Arthur, Arnold, Isreal and Robert; sisters, Rosie Casas and Ester Rodriguez; grandchildren, Alyse, Kayla, Nalina and Sebastian Infante, Amy, Jennifer and Steven Somsen, Erik and Zachary Miller, Jackson Infante; and great-grandchild, Leo Infante.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, John and Joe; and sister, Lupe Pena.

Memorials may be made to the David Walsh Cancer Center.

Chaney-Reager Funeral Home, Sterling, handled the arrangements.