Raymond Eugene Sweeden

Ray was the third child of eight born to Robert and Hazel Sweeden in Pawnee, Oklahoma on August 22, 1933. In 1946, his family came to California and settled in Sonoma where he attended Huichica School. A two-room school with one teacher who taught all grades K through 8. He then went to Sonoma Valley High School. Once he finished hight school, Ray worked as a carpenter apprentice until he joined the United States Marines in 1954. While in the Marines, he was stationed in Japan and Okinawa. When Ray returned home, he started dating Bonnie Jean Coble. They were married in 1958 and moved to San Rafael where Ray went to work for Standard Stations. In 1961, they bought their home in Novato where they resided for 64 years. They started their family by having two daughters. Ray went to work at Sunbeam Motors, an auto and body repair shop in Point Reyes Station where he worked for 15 years. In 1977, Ray went to work as a mechanic for Novato Unified School District where he worked for another 18 years. In 1995, Ray retired, and he and Bonnie enjoyed going on road trips with his brother Bob and wife Evelyn. Ray loved to go fishing and camping. He also loved hosting parties. Ray was a very talented wood worker building both furniture and redwood burl clocks. Preceded in death by his parents, two brothers Bob and Carl, four sisters Mary, Francis, Shirley, and Linda and his son in law Michael Girkout. He is survived by his wife Bonnie of 67 years, daughters Brenda and Cindy, brother-in-law Wayne, brother Kennth (Sonjia). Four grandchildren; Justin Girkout, Jordan Girkout, Amy Orellana (Will), Adam Kruse and seven great grandchildren Will, Mia, Leo, Sophia, Ronny Ray Orellana, Cordell and Alden Girkout. A celebration of life will be planned at a later date.