The community of Huntington Park and the greater Los Angeles area lost a true barbecue legend this past Monday.
Rene “Ray” Ramirez, owner and operator of Ray’s BBQ, passed away, leaving behind a wife and three children. His untimely death was announced on Instagram Tuesday afternoon, sending a shockwave through the heart of the Los Angeles food community.
“His passion for the craft of BBQ was able to change the lives of our family while providing a profound connection to people around the world,” Ramirez’s son, Sebastian Ramirez, wrote on a GoFundMe page set up in his father’s name following his death. “It was something that he could’ve only dreamed of 8 years ago.”
At the bottom of the GoFundMe page, Sebastian posted a series of photos of his late father as well as an image of the suicide awareness ribbon. According to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner, Ramirez died by suicide on February 7 at the age of 47. Results of an autopsy are still pending, according to a spokesperson for the medical examiner.
Ray’s barbecue journey started from humble beginnings; a single pellet smoker in his mom’s backyard to be exact. Initially a side-hustle and hobby, his smoked goods quickly exploded in popularity and attracted hundreds of meat-thirsty patrons every weekend. As the legend goes, a line would form around Hood Avenue all the way down to Gage Avenue.