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| LIFE IN SOLERA | AUGUST 2025 | 9 Solera CERT Cadre It is with great sadness the Solera CERT Team announces the passing of our team leader, Ray Gayton-Jacob. Ray passed away June 11, 2025 after a gallant fight against leukemia. Ray grew up in the city of Lakewood, California. In high school, he was a Los Angeles County Sheriff 's Department Explorer Scout at the Lakewood Sheriff 's station. In 1978, Ray enlisted in the United States Air Force serving as an aircraft maintenance specialist on C-141 cargo aircraft. Ray was honorably discharged from the Air Force in 1982. After his Air Force enlistment was over, Ray applied to be an Los Angeles County Sheriff 's deputy. Ray worked at several LA County Sheriff 's stations before transferring to the Riverside County Sheriff 's Department. Ray held a variety of assignments including Investigator and Watch Commander. Ray met his wife Gina while working for the Riverside County Sheriff 's Department. He would later be promoted to the rank of Sergeant. Ray transferred to the Riverside County District Attorney's Office where he worked as a Senior DA Investigator. In 2017, it was time for Ray to retire. Ray and Gina loaded up Ray's Jeep and moved from downtown Riverside to our beautiful community of Solera. Ray soon became very involved in the Solera community. He was the CERT Team leader, member of the Radio Club. He was a member of the RV Group, Coffee Group, Solera 4X4 Club, and the SWAG Fishing Group. Ray was very involved in the Riverside County Red Cross chapter. He was a volunteer logistics officer for the Red Cross and was a Red Cross Disaster Recovery Specialist. Ray would often be called out by the Red Cross to assist families in need. Ray's dedication to the communities he served had no boundaries. He was always on call and ready to serve at any time. Ray was a community hero. He never stopped giving of himself. I only knew Ray for a couple of years. I felt at times like I knew him forever. We are both retired public safety professionals. We often talked "shop" and were amazed at how many times our paths crossed. I learned so much from him. Solera has lost a very wonderful, kind and compassionate man. Ray's wife Gina and daughter Stephanie would like to express to the Solera community their deepest gratitude for all the love and sympathy they have received from the community. Rest in peace Big Guy, we'll take it from here. ~ Ron Monroe, Acting CERT Team Leader, ronoap@aol.com, (909) 732-6139, www.solera-cert.info Remembering Ray Gayton-Jacob