TIMOTHY RAVEN

TIMOTHY RAVEN

August 8, 1945 – May 20, 2025

Timothy "Tim" Martin Raven was born on August 8, 1945 to his parents, Martin ("Mart") & Olivia Raven, in Selma, California. He began his Heavenly journey and met Jesus on May 20, 2025. He lived a full life of 79 amazing years.

Tim's mother's parents had previously immigrated from the Azorean Island of St. Jorge, Portugal and settled on a small dairy outside of Lemoore; then the family moved from Lemoore to Selma, where Olivia's father started the Rocha Dairy at Clarkson Avenue and Highway 43. Tim's dad immigrated from Holland when Mart was 13 years old. His parents met on a double date when Mart and his sister dated Olivia and her brother. Mart and Olivia were married in St. Joseph's Catholic Church on June 9, 1942. They started their family two years later. Mart & Olivia had eight children: Virginia, Timothy, Theodore, Marty, Sharen, Sandra, Mark, and Scott. The siblings made their homes within a 5-mile radius of the original Raven home.

Tim was active in 4-H and later in FFA. He graduated from Selma High School in 1964. He began working side by side with his father, on Mart's farm after high school, growing cotton, alfalfa hay, and beans. Tim encouraged his dad to diversify into permanent crops which included almonds, walnuts, fresh tree fruit, and table grapes. In 1976, Tim became President of the family farming corporation that consisted of himself, his two brothers, Ted and Mark, and his brother-in-law, Ernie Souza. They continued to expand ultimately farming nearly 2,800 acres before the partnership split up.

Tim met the love of his life, Debbie, in 1981, and they were married in 1983. Debbie became a step mom to Tracy, Annette, and Jeremy. She gladly was involved in their lives. Both Tracy and Annette lived with Tim and Debbie and graduated from Laton High School. Tracy worked for Debbie for several years before her employment at Fresno County, where she has now worked for 27 years. Annette has taught at Three Rocks Elementary School/Tranquillity Elementary School for 21 years. Tim and Debbie were Jeremy's biggest fans at the Hoover High basketball games, never missing a game. Debbie took Kaci to her first basketball game at one week old. Jeremy now farms in the Kingsburg area and is following in his dad's footsteps by planting permanent crops - blueberries. Cody joined the family in 1985 and learned quickly about the dairy industry from his babysitters, Manuel and Marcie & Joao and Lourdes Leonardo. That was the beginning of a beautiful and unique family friendship between the Raven and Leonardo families where Cody learned to dairy from the Leonardo's and learned to farm from Tim. Cody now manages his own farming operation. Kaci was born in 1990 and from second grade, knew that she wanted to be a dentist. Kaci graduated from UCSF Dental School in 2019 and currently works for Westwood Dental in Visalia. Tim was always so proud of his kid's accomplishments! Tim and Debbie would have celebrated their 42nd wedding anniversary on June 4th.

Since 2021, Tim and Debbie have farmed on their own with their son, Cody, providing the day-to-day management. Tim always said that his father never questioned his management abilities so that he had complete confidence in Cody and would never question Cody's decision-making process as well. It takes a wise man to give up the reins to the next generation and never micromanage.

Tim was a life-long member of the Laton Lions Club, Our Lady of Fatima ("OLOF") Catholic Church, the OLOF Men's Club, and loved having breakfast with his buddies every morning for years at the Kings Country Club. His favorite pastime was spending time in Cayucos, attending the activities of his grandkids, and riding the golf cart with his dog, Bentli.

Tim was kind hearted, generous, funny, and was full of life. He would create a nickname for anyone that he would meet so he could remember their name. He loved to be the center of attention, and was never afraid to speak his mind. Tim was a great negotiator and a deal maker. You never needed a contract with Tim - his word was his bond.

Tim enjoyed all of his children and the successes that each achieved. There was no prouder dad than when Kaci graduated from dental school and became a Doctor of Dental Surgery. Of course, Tim took credit for her achievements as well as her athletic abilities.

Tim and Debbie had an amazing partnership. Neither person was intimidated by the other; they supported each other's dreams, without compromise; and neither required anything from the other except love for family and friends, a deep faith in God and country, both finding the extraordinary in everyday life. Tim died a rich man - not in monetary terms but in the legacy that he left behind in cherished family and friends, and the memories he made with them.

Tim was predeceased by his parents, Mart & Olivia Raven; his brother, Marty Raven; his sister, Virginia Souza; and his son-in-law, Nick Winters.

Tim is survived by his wife, Debbie; his son, Cody Raven (Elizabeth), of Fresno; and his daughter, Kaci Raven Bonanno (Anthony aka "Petey"), of Selma: his daughters, Tracy Raven Winters and Annette Dhillon (Johnny), both of Fresno; his son, Jeremy Raven (Lisa), of Kingsburg; his sisters, Sandra Gonsalves (Bennie); and Sharen Colliver (Paul); his brothers, Theodore Raven (Donna); and Mark Raven (Angie) all of Selma; Scott Raven (Charlyse) of Kingsburg; and his brother-in-law, Ernie Souza, of Selma. He is also survived by 9 grandchildren - Josephine and Kade Raven, of Fresno; Beckett and Brody Bonanno, of Selma; Cole, Cameron, and Carly Raven, of Kingsburg; Raven and Rachel Landseadal of Fresno; 3 great grandchildren - Jiraiya, Ace, & Nylah, as well as numerous extended family members and friends.

On behalf of the family of Tim Raven, we would like to thank you for your prayers and support during this difficult time. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a monetary donation to the Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 46, Laton, CA 93242.

Services for Tim Raven will be held as follows:

Rosary: Sunday, June 1st at 5:00 P.M. at the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima 20855 S. Fatima Avenue Laton, CA

Funeral Mass: Monday, June 2nd at 9:00 AM at the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima 20855 S. Fatima Avenue Laton, CA

Interment at the Oak Grove Cemetery in Laton, immediately following the mass. Please keep the family and friends of Tim Raven in your thoughts and prayers.