Raymond William Mattson

1920 - 2011

RAYMOND WILLIAM MATTSON

Raymond William Mattson, of Richvale, passed away at Enloe Hospital, at age 91 years, July 20, 2011 with family and friends at his side. He had contracted Pneumonia in March and suffered a heart attack with 4 TIA's in the following months. Spent numerous days in the hospital between stays at home, where his wife, Mary lovingly cared for him.

Ray was born near Cokato, MN June 21, 1920 to John and Elizabeth Mattson; he was the middle of 7 children.

He graduated from Cokato High School in 1938. Nov. 23, 1941 he joined the Marine Corps 1st Division and served as a rifle instructor for 2 yrs. This was the beginning of his severe hearing loss. He spent most of his time in the South Pacific and suffered attacks of Malaria. He was in on the invasion of Okinawa as they were freeing it from Japanese rule. He was discharged April 13, 1946.

After returning to MN, his body could not handle the cold weather, so he ended up in Richvale in 1947 to work in the rice farming with his two brothers.

In 1949, he returned to MN to help his parents sell their farm and move into Cokato. While there, he met Mary Carlson on a blind date Oct. 11, 1949 and gave her an engagement ring two weeks before Christmas. About a month later he returned to CA to put in the rice crop, returning to MN to be married June 10, 1950. They left for CA June 25th (the day the Korean War started).

He enjoyed deer hunting. He was a Hunters Safety Instructor for 25 years for the Dept. of Fish and Game, with hundreds of young people taking the class from him.

Ray "retired" from rice farming at age 85, but continued to help his son by spraying weeds, chopping roads, etc. He also grew many melons in his garden for years.

He and Mary spent many hours watching all the sporting events at Biggs High and enjoyed that so much. Those kids played such a big part in our lives. Ray so enjoyed the hugs & kisses he would get from the girls. At the Homecoming Football game in Sept. 2009, The Biggs High School Booster Club had a new Spirit of Fame plaque made with brass name plates, we were honored with our names being the first ones.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Ernest and sister, Mabel. Surviving siblings are Edward of Annandale, MN, Chester of Richvale, Robert of El Paso and sister, Frances of Mpls.

Ray and Mary celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary June 10. Their children are Steven and wife, Jackie of Gridley, Randall and wife, Luci of Richvale, Kevin and wife, Janice of Richvale, Brian and wife, Isabel of Hanford, CA.

An unnamed stillborn son preceded him in 1956. Their only daughter, Cathy was injured in an auto accident at age 16 in 1978, remaining in a coma for 7 months. Ray and Mary took care of her for 9 years before placing her in a care home in Chico. 3½years ago she moved to Richvale to Cathy's Christian Cottage owned and operated by Luci and Randall Mattson. Ray would help Cathy with her dinner every night. Their only granddaughter is Michelle of Richvale. Grandsons are Alex of KS, Adam of AZ, Michael of Richvale, Christopher and Ian of Hanford, CA. There are 2 step-granddaughters of Hanford and 10 step great-grandchildren of Hanford.

There will be a viewing at Newton-Bracewell Funeral Home on Tuesday, July 26, 2011 from 5 to 7 p.m. Graveside service will be at the Gridley-Biggs Cemetery on Wednesday, July 27th at 9:30 a.m., followed by a Memorial Service at the Richvale Evangelical Free Church at 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be given to Cathy's Christian Cottage, P.O. Box 392 Richvale, CA 95974.

To view obituary and send condolences to the family, go online to nbcfh.com