
Charlie Chaplin once said our greatest enemy is time.
As time goes on, more and more of the great people that we’ve come to know and love in our lives are leaving us. The sting of loss hit again yesterday with the passing of an all time great Raider fan, Raider Gloria. She had struggled with an infection due to complications from a recent knee surgery. Gloria Trujillo Malvaez was quite a character that no one will ever forget.
Gloria began dressing up as Raider Gloria in 1987. She became quite well known and was always ready with a quick wit and a willingness to take pictures with anyone who wanted a photo opportunity. She was feisty, but kind and passionate and loved by all. To find a kinder, sweeter and more gentle person would be hard. The outpouring of love and support upon her passing on social media has been amazing and heartfelt. This loss is a big one.
In 2013 she was asked by ESPN to be a part of their ESPN magazine spread with other iconic fans being featured. Eventually she was told that she was not only going to be in it, she was going to be featured on the cover. Below is her story on ESPN.com. She was also mentioned in People magazine in 2003.
http://www.espn.com/espn/photos/gallery/_/id/9697611/image/19/makeup#
She often told people that it took 2 ½ hours to get ready to become Gloria Raider; but only 90 if she wasn’t drinking. Even though he did not dress up, her beloved husband Gabriel would go to the games to represent his Raiders as a regular fan without ever asking her to tone it down. “He let me be myself”. She dressed up and he didn’t and they were a great pair. She was married to him for 21 years until he passed away in 2010. There were some close to her that said she never really got over the loss. They are now together once again.

Gloria was a character with many funny stories. She often talked about going to the Raider games as a kid before the Oakland Coliseum was built. She talked about her father and godfather being huge fans and they took her to the games. At 14 y/o they would bring pillows for her to sit on and she often would drive home because they would be “blitzed” and couldn’t drive. She would wear a hat and they were never pulled over.
In probably the biggest Raider fan wedding in history, she was a part of the over 1000 people who attended the wedding of Gorilla Rilla. Super fans Marc (Gorilla Rilla) and Marilyn (Jungle Jane) Acasio had a wedding with famous Raider fans in full makeup and Raider dress. Gloria proudly was a part of her friends Marc’s nuptials which even the Raiders themselves covered.
As with many of the “characters” that dress up, they have very warm hearts. Gloria was quick to help others and was an encouraging force in many peoples lives. Here she is below feeding the homeless without much fanfare. A selfless, kind soul who’s actions were often for the benefit of others. She encouraged and supported and was a positive voice in many peoples lives.

In the last few years that I’ve gotten back into writing it’s been both rewarding and heartbreaking. I’ve written about several amazing people and triumphs but all and all the tragedies are hard to take. A spouse of one player that was lost said I was their memory. I don’t know about that but I guess I just don’t like us to forget good people. The losses lately have been great.

Other Raider fans like Social Media Raider Icon Tim Casto was lost in a tragic house fire at 49.
And NFL Hall of Fame Fan Ron “The General” Rickard died at 54 after a long battle with cancer:
And who will ever forget the Oaktown Pirate Azel Grasty Sr. who was also lost at only 57.
It would take a lifetime to list all of the lives they touched with their positive and enduring spirits. I hope that no one forgets these great people and their love and contributions to so many. The friendships we create through meeting such unique people are more important than any win or record.
So again sadly we have to say goodbye to another amazing person who represented her team so well, but more importantly represented humanity even better. In a country so divided and angry and lost, remember the spirit of people like Gloria. Encourage each other and be positive. Have fun, enjoy life, help others and don’t take yourself too seriously. Live life with a wink in one eye and a twinkle in the other. And don’t worry Gloria. It’s ok to wear full Raider gear when you get to heaven. God and Gabriel will totally understand.
I thank you from the bottoms of my heart for such an amazing tribute to my mom.
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You are greatly welcome Angela. Our deepest prayers to you all and thanks for sharing your mom with so many of us! Jim Jax
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She was my raider mom. She called me her raider son. I picked her up and took her to her last game last season. This is hard…
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I’ve read your posts online Gilbert and I am deeply sorry for such a great loss. She meant a lot to the Raider fans but to those closest to her this is beyond difficult. I hope the great memories of friendship and love that are shared by so many will always outweigh the pain. Thanks so much for reading and our deepest thoughts and prayers to you. Jim Jax
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I feel a sincere loss when any of my Raiders brothers or sisters pass. The memories we share are simultaneously similar and distinct.
Sharing those memories of our earliest experiences as proud OAKLAND Raiders fans, strengthen our common bonds and make us a unique family that can not be compromised. Rest well Gloria and we’ll meet again on the 50 yard line where the Raider faithful will sit in football heaven.
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AMEN! Great comments. Thanks for reading!! Jim Jax
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She was my sitting and some tailgating partner. My prayers to her husband. Section 121. RIP Gloria love you
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Thanks for Sharing and reading Angelique. Deepest sympathies to you, Jim Jax
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My name is kluane . miss gloria lived with me for a time . i really didn’t know her as raider gloria . i knew her on a different level . we were total strangers in the beginning . then we were roommates . and now i honestly can say she was a close and dear friend of mine . i will miss our time talking and spending time together . her stories will stay with me forever . love you always. Your friend . bff. Kluane .
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Thanks Kluane for your kind words and I’m greatly sorry for the loss of your friend. May great memories always outweigh the sorrow. Jim Jax
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People are still talking about you Raider Gloria. I just saw a video of you on a phone from a guy I just met. He said he use to pick you up and take you to the doctors. You even made him pillows. I live in the same town you do an am a Raider fan too. I just never had the money to go. So I watched from home. And still do. I wish I would of met you. You sound like such a nice lady. And your love for the Raiders is still living on angel. I know your in Raider heaven reading this. We love you and I’m sure your missed so much. RIP. Gloria
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Thanks so much for your kind words Debbie. I’m sure she appreciated them and is looking down smiling. 🙂 Jim Jax
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