Rafael Antonio Hurtado, Jr.

To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die.

From Aunt Jennifer

I never imagined that my beloved nephew would leave us - being robbed of a whole life ahead of him. But life can be so profoundly unfair.

The day I received the call, I experienced such heartbreak and gut-wrenching pain for my sister and her family. I yearned to relieve even just a minuscule amount of their pain. Truth be told, I was actually worried about how much my sister could take. I just wanted the pain to subside, for them all. All I could think of was being present.

When I hugged my sister, the feeling of both compassion and helplessness flooded and overwhelmed me. I knew there was nothing I could say or do to alleviate her grief. Through my sister’s tears, she realized that she would never see what her son would have developed and evolved into, never see him get married and never have the chance to spoil his children. She didn’t know how she would live on, even though she knew she needed to for her husband, daughters and grandson.

Being here today, seeing the anguish on everyone’s faces is beyond agonizing to witness. We are broken. Children are never supposed to die before their parents. The shock of Lil Ralph’s unexpected passing is just impossible for all of us to process.

Lil Ralph’s family understandably won’t want to leave here today without him. Parents never want to leave their children. Our instinct is to be with them and protect them, no matter what.

Ralph was eulogized as a pit master, a great artist, a fur dad to Bear and Fly, a son, a brother, a cousin, an uncle , and a friend with a beautiful smile and a big heart. He will be forever loved and forever missed.

It’s amazing how family relationships are being repaired through this sorrow, but I wish it wouldn’t have taken this. It’s ironic how often through death, that we are reminded how to live. I wonder if my nephew was such a blessing that even in his untimely death, he brought his family together.

May Lil Ralph’s memory be a blessing, and may my sister and her family have the needed support and strength to cope with all the pain and grief that still lies ahead.

The Bible reminds us that there’s a time for everything and that grief isn’t forever. Ecclesiastes 3:1-4: 
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,”

There’s never just one “season” in life. Today might be time to mourn, but you won’t mourn forever. Eventually, you’ll heal, and the time to laugh will come again. I just know it. ❤️

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October 4, 2026

Happy Heavenly Birthday to my nephew Lil Ralph. ❤️

Today you would have been 42 years old, and I can't help but think about how much life you should still have ahead of you. I hate that you're not here to celebrate this birthday with us. I hate that our family has had to learn how to live with a loss that none of us ever expected or wanted.

You weren't just my nephew. You were someone I grew up with. With only about eight years between us, I remember playing school, playing cars, playing G.I. Joes… just being kids and making memories that I never imagined would one day mean so much to me.

You were so incredibly talented. You could breakdance, you could cook, you could draw—and you had a heart for people. You loved doing for others, especially for people who were less fortunate. You gave pieces of yourself to the people around you, and I hope you knew just how much that mattered.

I rooted for you. I loved you. And I always wanted the best for you. ❤️

I don't think any of us will ever understand why some people are taken from us far too soon. We aren't supposed to outlive our children, our nieces, our nephews. We're supposed to watch them grow older, celebrate their birthdays, see where life takes them, and make more memories along the way. Sometimes I still find myself questioning and wondering why things have to happen the way they do.

But today, I don't want to focus on the way you left us. I want to focus on the way you lived.

I want to remember your drawings and all the pieces of your creativity you left behind. I want to remember the food you made with love. I want to remember the friendships you made, the people you helped, the laughter, the memories, and all the little pieces of you that are still here with us.

Our family isn't the same without you. There is a void that I don't think will ever completely disappear. But maybe that void is just another reminder of how much you meant to us. You were deeply loved, and you are deeply missed.

I know you're with our Father in Heaven, and that gives me comfort. I just wish Heaven wasn't so far away sometimes.

So today, on what would have been your 42nd birthday, I choose to celebrate you—your life, your talents, your heart, and the memories you left imprinted on all of ours.

Happy Heavenly Birthday, Corazon.

I love and miss you. ❤️🕊️

Jennifer Cobb

February 25, 2026

This picture was the last time I saw you. You were working and Me and Matthew walked in. You had the biggest smile and were so surprised. We ordered the meat you cooked and it was delicious. You were even able to sit and talk with us. Just telling us about life and how much you enjoyed cooking at your job. I will remember this day forever. Love you Corazon .

Coco

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Rafael Hurtado, Jr.

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