On Tuesday April 15, 2003, José Díaz was taken to the Hospital General de Naucalpan suffering from kidney failure and later suffered an arrythmia in his right lung. Díaz died the night between April 16 and April 17, the official date of death being listed as April 16. His funeral was held two days later and was attended by over 100 people, long time friends and luchadors who grew up admiring Ray Mendoza's in-ring exploits paid their last respect. Other than his family the funeral was attended by wrestlers La Infernal (married to Villano III), El Canek, Super Astro, Mano Negrao, Fuerza Guerrera, Pierroth Jr., Olímpico, Shocker, Karloff Lagarde Sr., and his nephew Karloff Lagarde Jr., as well as Ringo Mendoza. During the funeral some gave Ringo Mendoza their condolenses on the death of "his father", not realizing that there was no actual family relationship between the two. In 2010 CMLL honored Ray Mendoza's memory at their annual Homenaje a Dos Leyendas ("Homage to two legends") show on March 19, 2010. During the show Mendoza's three surviving sons, Villano III, Ray Mendoza, Jr. and Villano IV were present for a ceremony honoring Ray Mendoza.
