HOLLAND (WHTC-AM/FM) — Ramon S. Quintero was a natural ray of sunshine, but most people knew him as Ray, the Tamale King
Mr. Quintero, 80 died Tuesday, July 28, 2020, at Holland Hospital after a short illness. Family members said he had pulmonary fibrosis.
Mr. Quintero loved his customers and patrons and clearly — and dearly — loved family and friends.
He was a business owner in Texas: Twinkies Quick Stop — a shop, restaurant and gas station — but for the last 24 years, he ran Ray’s Tamale King at Holland’s Farmers Market.
Mr. Quintero laughed off the suggestion 10 years ago that he should open a restaurant in Holland — laughing, he said the Texas shop he owned was too much work, but recently he opened a sit-down and carry out restuarant in a Holland Township.
Holland Farmers Market officials issued a statement in response to the news of his death:
“Our entire Holland Farmers Market family is heartbroken at the loss of Ray ‘The Tamale King’ Quintero. He has been part of the market for 24 years and earned his title as the Tamale King by selling thousands of tamales to hungry fans over the years, not to mention his famous breakfast tacos. He was an integral part of what makes the Holland Farmers Market so special and he will be greatly missed by all. We are grateful his family will be carrying on his legacy at the market so Ray’s tamales can continue to be enjoyed by all.”
Mr. Quintero is survived by his beloved wife Anita; children Mary and Marcel Arocha, Irene Chapa, Raymond Jr. and Linda Quintero, Sara and Bill VanKampen, and Melissa Rodriguez; as well as 16 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren and five of his nine siblings. His complete obituary is at https://whtc.com/blogs/obituaries-blog/637/ramon-quintero
