Friends, family, customers, and the extended Don Tello's family came together Wednesday night to celebrate the life of energetic restaurant manager Ray Whaley, who died in a car crash on June 23.

The restaurant served beverages only in a fundraiser for Whaley's children - a 21 year old daughter and 17, 11, and 9 year old sons - in North Carolina. A photo slide show reviewed a life full of happy moments with friends and family while well-wishers signed a memory book at the packed bar.

Ronda Oakes, a close friend whose husband Billy was also Whaley's close friend and business partner, said "If you had any contact with Ray, you were a better person for it. I've known him for 20 years. He'd do anything for you. That's why all these people are here," she said.

She recalled the first time she got to know Whaley. "We were up all night playing the board game Trouble. We didn't know the rules. He didn't want to lose and neither did I."

Whaley and Billy Oakes met when Whaley came into the auto business where Billy worked to ask for a job. From then on, Billy and Ray were inseparable, she said.

Tello Eluterio, co-owner of Don Tello's with Billy Oakes, said he remembered how Whaley would always persevere. "He always said, ‘Never go one step back. Go one step forward. Keep going.'"

Many described Whaley, 46, as always happy and positive. "Every time I saw him, He was always smiling," said customer Sondra Holt.

Customer Cindy Ayers said if Ray were there right now, he'd be giving hugs. "He hugged everybody," she said. Her husband added that they'd be doing shots.

DJ Terri McGibboney recalled how he would whip out the sombrero, a shot, and a paddle whenever there was a birthday in the restaurant.

Ronda also described his thoughtfulness and how he would always remember everybody at holidays and birthdays. "He's going to be very missed," she said. "He lived in our house. I loved him, my husband loved him, my kids loved him... There won't be a day we won't miss him."

The last conversation they had was on the patio of the restaurant, the night before the crash. "It was the same as we always have - we love you and will see you later."