Harold Lee Raster

Harold (Hal) Lee Raster was born on May 7th, 1939, to Viola Lambert and Jacob Raster in St. Louis, Missouri. At the ambitious age of sixteen, Harold joined the United States Marine Corps and deployed to Okinawa, Japan. After five years in the Marines, he was stationed in Barstow, California, where he worked at the Harvey House train station and met the love of his life, Helen Luna.

He began his 37-year career at the Marine Corps Logistics base as a painter and retired as a logistics supervisor.

Harold was goal-oriented and determined. His notable accomplishments include:

* Developing the method in which the camouflage pattern was painted on military vehicles

* Receiving his Associate of Arts degree from Barstow College

* Running four marathons

* Becoming a successful small business entrepreneur who called every client "son" and was generous

with his marital advice for every groom he suited at R Tux Shop

Harold Lee, also known as the self-proclaimed "Trout Master," found his joy in fishing, hunting, camping, and trips to Stateline with his brother. His greatest joy was drinking coffee and taking in the sunrises with his turtle dove of 58 years and 11 months in the backyard of his beloved R Place Ranch.

Harold had an uncanny ability to never meet a stranger and make everyone laugh. He was generous, kind, strong, brave, and consistent. In a divided world, Harold was an exemplary model of how kindness, humor, and good hospitality can and should be extended to everyone you meet regardless of your differences.

In the early hours of March 31st, at the wonderful age of 82, with the love of his life and his children by his side, Harold Lee took flight from R Place Ranch, the home he built and beautified for over 52 years. He told us he was off to build us a new ranch in heaven. We will wait in joyful hope until we see him again.

Harold Lee Raster is survived by his wife Helen Raster, son Hal Raster(Laurie), son Van Raster(Brooke), daughter Shannon Gonzalez (Marcos), sister Shirley Schmitt, and brother John Raster (Judy), nine grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren.

Information on services to celebrate Harold's life and legacy are below:

April 22nd, 2022

Rosary at 1:30 pm, St. Joseph's Church, Barstow, CA.

Funeral Mass at 2:00 pm St. Joseph's Church, Barstow, CA.

Military Honors at 5:00 pm, R Place Ranch (Harold & Helen's Residence)

Celebration of Life Reception & Harold Lee Tales around the campfire immediately following at R Place Ranch

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.meadcares.com for the Raster family.