He was born in Irissarry, France, on February 26, 1930, the youngest of nine children. With his hometown coming out of World War II and Raymond looking for work, he came to the United States in 1949, first traveling to Bakersfield, CA, and then becoming a sheepherder in the Nevada side of the High Sierras on a two-year contract with the Mendiburu Sheep Company.
After his contract was complete, in 1951, he made his way to the Chino Valley with help from his brother Henry, who was already working in Chino. After two short years of working in the Chino Valley, in 1953, Raymond started his dairy, first in the High Desert, and then returned to the Chino Valley Area until he retired and sold his cows in 2021. He was widely respected for his work ethic, ambition, and passion for the industry. Though retirement was short-lived, in the same year he retired from dairy cows, he acquired beef cows, of which he still had six until his death.
He was immensely proud of his Basque culture and was an original member of the Chino Basque Club and has been inducted into their hall of fame. He loved outdoor activities and animals, including sheep, cows, fishing, and his favorite, horses. He was a member of the Ontario Mounted Police for many years and went on many long-distance horse trails, including Death Valley and in the High Sierras, often fishing along the way.
Raymond is survived by his sibling in France, Maitecha Hegoas, along with children Kathie Goyeneche, Jenny (Jesse) Isom, Marguerite (David) Bocksberger, and Martin; Grandchildren Raymond (Julia) Goyeneche, Bernadette (Teddy) Iturriria, Pierre Jauretche, Megan Bocksberger, Hannah Isom, Amy (Steve) Otondo, Daniel (Lindsey) Bocksberger and Zachary (Aleia) Isom. Great grandchildren Anna Marie Iturriria, Katie Iturriria, Maddie Iturriria, Remy Goyeneche, Rafael Goyeneche, Will Bocksberger, Lily Bocksberger, Ben Otondo, Zayn Isom and Maisy Bocksberger. Many Nephews and Nieces also survive Raymond.
Preceding Raymond in death are his parents, Martin and Gracieuse. His ex-wife, Margaret Price, and daughters Anna Marie and Maitecha Jauretche. Siblings Pello, Jean Baptiste, Peyo, Henry, Catherine, Jean, Isabelle, Son-in-laws Pierre Jauretche, Remy Goyeneche, and long-time friend Mayie Minaberry.
His viewing will start at 5:00 PM on November 15th, with the rosary starting at 6:30 pm at Funeraria del Angel Chino at 13002 South Central Ave, Chino.
Funeral services will start at 11:00 a.m. on November 16th at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church at 12686 Central Ave, Chino, with a burial at 1 p.m. at Bellevue Memorial Park, 1240 W G St, Ontario. Following the burial, a meal will be provided at Centro Basco at 13432 Central Ave, Chino, CA. All services are open to any who wants to celebrate Raymond's life.
If you are unable to make the funeral, the services will be broadcast online with this link
https://masslivestream.com/churches/stmargaretmary
The family suggests that in place of flowers, a donation be made to any of the charities of your choice listed below that touched his life and the family members he loved so much.
• Chino Basque Club Scholarship Fund https://www.chinobasqueclub.com/donate-today/
• Comprehensive blood & cancer center in Bakersfield (https://www.cbccusa.com/),
• Leaps and Bounds Pediatrics Therapy (https://fundraiser.leapspediatric.org/give/330811/#!/donation/checkout)
• Megan’s Wings - support for childhood cancer (https://www.givesignup.org/DonationWebsite/MegansWingsInc/DonationForm/DonationonbehalfofOtodoFamily/)
