Arthur Raymond Chapman Jr.

Ray was born September 8, 1923 in San Jose California to his parents Arthur Raymond Chapman Sr. (his dad) and Melba Paulien Klute (his mom). At age 8, he went to live with his dad and new mother, Goldie, in Redwood City CA. He and his new family then moved to San Francisco. Just after turning 18, Ray had nearly attained his High School diploma from Polytechnic in San Francisco when he enlisted in the Navy soon after the United States declared war on Japan on December 7, 1941, After being honorably discharged from the Navy, he took to himself his bride, Dorothy Ruth Christopherson in matrimony on December 10, 1947, his lifelong companion. Ray was an avid reader was interested in writing as a profession. He decided to go to college and attain a degree in journalism. He attended Junior college in Modesto. One of Ray's professors at Modesto Junior College recognized his journalistic potential and talked to him about going to Stanford to complete his degree. Ray obtained his Batchelor of Arts degree in journalism from Stanford University in 1951. While at Stanford, Ray was also the editor of 'The Stanford Dailey' University newspaper. Ray began putting his journalistic acumen to work as an entrepreneur in 1952 when he was taken in as a partner with Joe & Helen Hochchild who owned 'The Patterson Irrigator' newspaper at that time. In 1955, Ray bought out his partners and continued as owner and editor of the newspaper until he sold it in 1961. Now, Ray and his wife Ruth and five very young sons moved to Sacramento California where he would continue his writing career for the State of California. The State of California 'Department of Fish & Game' and the 'Department Of Parks & Recreation' employed Ray for 18 years. Ray was counted on to use his journalistic skills profusely during this time and retired early in 1979 to help his wife Ruth closer to home with her failing health. Ray obtained his General Contractors license about this time in order to provide some extra income by building a new home for speculation next door to his residence while caring for his wife Ruth. He continued caring for his wife at home for the next 18 years until she passed away in March of 1998. With continuing help and support from his youngest son Jeff and wife Jeanette and Adam (grandson) and oldest son Mike, Ray lived out his remaining years at Jeff's in-law quarters studio in Sacramento. Ray and Ruth had five sons; Michael, Mark, Kenneth, Kevin and Jeffrey. And also had six grandchildren; Adam, Tyler, Brian, Nick, Nathan and most especially Kristi, the only girl, who held him until he breathed his last breath on December 22, 2012. Funeral services were held on Thursday January 3 2012 at the San Joaquin Valley cemetery in Gustine at 1:30 pm