The community is mourning the death of Raymond "Ray" Fayloga, who worked as a special education teacher at Silverado High School and was a longtime educator at several local school districts.

The 53-year old Fayloga died at a local hospital on March 4 after suffering cardiac arrest at his Hesperia home. He taught at SHS for 11 years and was married to his wife, Toni, for 26 years, his family said.

"My husband loved the Lord, his family and his students," Toni Fayloga told the Daily Press. "He was a hardworking man who endured a lot. I know he's in a place where's there's no more tears, no more pain and no more sorrow."

Fayloga leaves behind four children, six grandchildren and a legacy that includes influencing the lives of family, friends, students, strangers and inmates, his wife told the Daily Press.

"Ray taught an adult English learner class and weekly Bible studies at the Adelanto prison," Toni Fayloga said. "He loved board games, sports, playing softball with his Fly Right teammates and playing pool on the Clean Slate team."

Kelli Burkhart described her father as a leader and selfless family man who did the "best he could to keep his family together" and to instill in them the values of hard work and integrity. She also added that her father loved board and card games, and would often gather his family at the table for a time of laughter and fun.

"He was always there for me," Burkhart, 24, said. "He always wanted the best for his his kids. I'm so thankful that he was here in January to see the birth of his grandson, Benjamin."

Burkhart said Sunday's sermon message from Revelation 21, delivered at Calvary Chapel of the High Desert, was uplifting and encouraging.

"I am content knowing my dad's pain and sorrow is finally gone," Burkhart said. "I can't wait to meet up with him again. Save me a seat so we can play rummy together, dad."


Silverado teacher Dean Meza described Fayloga as a strong man who cared for his students and worked hard despite his diminishing health over the years.

In 2004, Fayloga was diagnosed with diabetes and later with kidney failure, which caused medical issues, his wife said.

In the early '80s, Fayloga lived on the streets of Los Angeles after he left the foster care system. Scared and alone, Fayloga stood at the edge of the Santa Monica Pier with thoughts of ending his life," Toni Fayloga said.


"That's when a group from Set Free Ministry intervened by sharing the love of Jesus with Ray and taking him into their care," she said. "God was watching out for him."

With a "transformed life," Fayloga traveled to Texas to work for Set Free and to drive for the late Paul and Jan Crouch, the founders of the Trinity Broadcast Network.

After meeting, Raymond and Toni began ministering together at Set Free until Toni moved back to her home state of California to minister at Set Free Anaheim.

Fayloga eventually moved to Anaheim, where the couple began a relationship and ministered at the church. Later, the couple moved to Perris, where they helped with a church plant and got married.


After leaving Set Free in the mid-'90s, the couple moved to Hesperia, where Raymond Fayloga found a job in construction and attended Victor Valley College with the dream of becoming a social worker.

After earning his associate degree at VVC, Fayloga continued to work two jobs while raising his family and studying to become a teacher at Azusa Pacific University.

"It took him at lot longer than four years, but Raymond eventually got his Masters in teaching," his wife said. "He starting working for the San Bernardino County School District and finally landed a job a Silverado."

Fayloga is survived by his children: Valerie Parrilla and Raymond James Fayloga; son Carlos Cavazos and his wife, Keirsten; and Kelli Burkhart and her husband, Aaron. His grandchildren are David, Jonathan, Isaac, Logan, Madison and Benjamin.

"We served the Lord together and we raised a family together," Toni Fayloga said. "And one day, we'll be together again."

A celebration of life for Fayloga is scheduled at 10 a.m. Monday at Sunset Hills Memorial Park and Mortuary, 24000 Waalew Rd., Apple Valley. The service is open to all friends and family.