Donald-Ray Epps was born on February 10, 1955, to proud parents, adoptive Mother Nonie Brown Magadia and Father Ruel Epps and was raised in San Diego, CA. Donald-Ray attended O’Farrell Middle School and graduated from Lincoln High School in 1973, as a high-achieving scholar in mathematics and excellent track star. His mother used to say that he was a natural. Most of the time he did not attend the practices. He would just show up at the track meets and win because he was just that fast! When he left, Donald-Ray held a few track records at Lincoln High that took many years to be broken.
Everyone knew that Donald-Ray loved his family and loved being around them whenever he could. He especially enjoyed hanging out, and at times at his brother Wilbert’s house interacting with nephews and nieces.
In 1973, he met the love of his life, Ramona Banks, who he affectionately called “Mo-Mo”. They got married in 1975, and from this union two children were born, Donnie-Rae (his namesake) who he affectionately nicknamed his “Diamond Girl”, and Dolores Charlena, who he affectionately called his “Bean-head”.
For his employment, Donald-Ray worked at the 32nd St. Shipyard, a machinist, and an outstanding craftsman. He worked at Teledyne Ryan Aeronautical for many years building aircraft. He then worked for Sycuan Casino, often boasting about the work he had done there while it was being built. He then went on to work for himself refurbishing houses. He had an eye for most things and without any formal training, it would be the most detailed and immaculate work that you have ever laid your eyes on!
Although Donald-Ray had some struggles in life, he loved his girls, his family, and would do anything that he could for any of them physically or financially. He would give it to you to make sure that you were ok. Donald-Ray especially enjoyed spending time with his grandsons. He loved to play pranks on you, and he loved to make everyone laugh. He was a big jokester, sarcastically funny, had a smile and charisma that was out of this world!
On October 29, 2004, his life drastically changed forever. He was T-Boned in a car accident and was left fighting for his life. This accident ultimately crippled him, and he was bedridden for the next 19 years. He enjoyed visits from friends and family at the nursing home, especially the visits with his daughter Donnie-Rae, who brought him food and played his favorite music. Donald-Ray also looked forward to his visits from his younger brother, Clarence Davis Jr., who groomed him and made him feel like a fresh new man.
Donald-Ray fought a good, long fight for 19-years, ultimately succumbing on December 7, 2023. His daughter Donnie-Rae was at his bedside.
Proceeding Donald-Ray in death was his father, mother, brothers; Wilbert-Hadnot, Gerard Anthony Bell, and Richard Bell, and Sister; Judy Bell.
Donald-Ray leaves to mourn his two daughters; Donnie-Rae Ward (Marvin) and Dolores Epps, seven grandchildren; Andre’, Samuel, Tahjae’ and Tiffany Straughn, Oshanti Jones (Mike), Eric, and Harmony Epps, two great grandchildren; Liyah and Avani Straughn, siblings; Kim Bell and Clarence Davis, Jr. (Tangie), and Ex-Wife Ramona.
