A memorial continued to grow this week at the Mt. San Antonio College campus for Ralph Barragan, the 63-year-old school tram driver, who died after a car struck the pedestrian on campus on Dec. 1.
Barragan was a beloved figure at the Walnut campus, as a note from school administrators amplified this week, announcing the memorial.
“We woke up, we came to work at Mt. SAC and for many of us, our lives were permanently changed,” said the email, from Audrey Yamagata-Noji, vice president, student services, and from Malia Flood, dean, ACCESS and Wellness.
It went on: “We are all full of so many emotions. Ralph was our friend, our buddy, our ray of sunshine. He came to work with a smile on his face every day – bringing joy and positivity to everyone with whom he interacted.”
In announcing the memorial, and a pending on vigil on Friday, leaders described Barragan as much more than an employee who’s job it was to transport disabled students.
“He was their friend, their mentor, their encourager,” administrators said. “To colleagues, he was always around to be supportive, to smile, to wave, to stop to show you pictures of his family, to remember something about you, to take an interest in you and your life.”
The memorial began on Monday, at the west end of the Student Services Center (9B). It is an area of the campus where Barragan would park and board his passengers on the tram transport. Officials invited the campus community to write a note or just come by to remember Barragan.
Many in the community at Mt. SAC were devastated by Barragan’s death.
A former tram driver at the college, 38-year-old James Edward Milliken Jr. of Diamond Bar, was charged Monday in the attack.
The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office also charged in connection with the allegation that he used two weapons, a car and a knife, to commit the crime on Thursday, Dec. 1.
Milliken struck 63-year-old Rafael Barragan Jr. of Pomona with a car outside Building 9A, Sheriff’s detectives said. Barragan died there. Milliken remained at the scene and was detained.
Administrator said the impact of the loss on staff at the campus’s ACCESS center has been “overwhelming.”
Employees have been given the option to return to work “when comfortable doing so” while also remaining open to students who need assistance with accessibility to and around campus — a role that Barragan served in as a tram driver.
At 3 p.m. Friday, in the Student Services Center (building 9B, first floor), there will be a brief memorial to honor Barragan.
Officials called it a chance to take part in “Ralphie’s Fan Club.”
