Raymond Wallet Madderra

Ray Madderra was born October 14, 1933 in Fort Sill, Oklahoma. During his career he worked as an Electrical Lineman for the City of Duncan, Oklahoma, an Oil Field Derrick man in Bakersfield, a School Bus Driver for the China Lake Unified School District, in China Lake, CA, a Truck Driver for Halliburton Oil Science Company, in Bakersfield, and a Truck Driver for Daniel Trucking Company in Hanford.

Ray married Bettie Jo Moon in Lawton, Oklahoma on April 26, 1952. Upon marriage to Bettie, who was raised by her parents Charlie and Josie Moon, Ordained ministers in the Church of God, Ray became a child of God and began his walk with Jesus. He was baptized the same year.

Ray had no family siblings but claimed Bettie’s sisters Charlotte, Wanda and Faye, as his own.

Ray and Bettie had four children - Bettie Ann (1953), Brenda Rae (1954), Gary (1961), and Sharon (1962). They have 12 grandchildren – Angelina, Tami, Amy, Rob, Bobbi, Joanna, Alyssia, McKenzie, Megan, Debbie, Marc and Ralph; 16 great-grandchildren; Lexi, Jacob, Jene, Emily, Tori, Becca, Caleb, Chloe, Alazae, Santana, Diamond, Xavier, Austin, Casey, Connor, and Aiden. Their newest addition is Great-Great Grandchild, little Ezekiel Gonzales.

Ray and Bettie served Kern County as Foster Parents for over 25 years. They housed at least 12 children in their home off and on over the years and as a family worshiped God. They were known as Godly people and were often asked to take more children due to their reputation as a wholesome family.

Ray and Bettie’s early years were served in the Church of God but they currently reside in Lemoore and attend Glad Tidings Assembly of God Church in Hanford.

While attending the Church of God, Ray served as Sunday School Superintendent, Sunday School Teacher, Usher, and whenever he was asked to fill a need, he did.

The Moon-Madderra family was very close-knit and served many churches, including those that our Grandpa, Charles Moon, pastored. We had church gatherings at his ranch in Inyokern to have baptisms in-the-trough, sing-a-longs, or fish-fry’s, or worship services.

My darling father was the “family dad and brother” – if they needed help, they called Ray. He is loved and missed by everyone who has come into contact with him through the years. What a legacy of love he left us.