Jose Avila Jr., a photographer and former owner of Ricky's Portrait Studio, died Dec. 26 of cancer at Stella Maris Hospice in Timonium. He was 79.
Mr. Avila, the son of ranchers, was born in Fresno, Calif., and raised on his family's ranch in Mexico.
While serving with an Army artillery unit stateside during the Korean War, Mr. Avila earned his General Educational Development diploma.
After being discharged from the Army, Mr. Avila worked as an architectural draftsman and a bricklayer until an injury brought that career to an end.
In 1958, Mr. Avila, who was known as "Mr. Ricky" or "Joe," established Ricky's Portrait Studio in the Brooklyn Park Shopping Center. He closed the business and retired in 2000.
A longtime resident of Towson's Campus Hill neighborhood, Mr. Avila was an amateur astronomer and a member of the Planetary Society. He also enjoyed playing his guitar, singing and playing an occasional game of poker.
At Mr. Avila's request, there were no services.
Surviving are his wife of 57 years, the former Dorothea Margaret Selin; a son, Jose "Rick" Avila III of Timonium; a daughter, Robin Avila of Towson; three brothers, Francisco Avila, Enrique Avila and Aurelio Avila, all of Fillmore, Calif.; two sisters, Sara Burens of Fillmore and Rosa Ramirez of Palmdale, Calif.; five grandchildren; and a great-granddaughter.