Raymond W. Bomkamp

Ret. Lt. Col. Raymond W. "Bomber" Bomkamp, 76, was born to Edward and Anna Bomkamp on August 9, 1934 in Chicago, Illinois. He grew up in Downers Grove, Illinois with an older brother, Thomas and a younger sister, Dianne. He played on the high school basketball team. After graduation he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and began his career as a fighter pilot. He worked his way up to Lt. Col. and spent the last 5 years in the military working at the Pentagon.

Bomber retired from the U.S. Air Force in 1973 and went to work for a company in the bay area. It was there where he met the love of his life Joyce Rexroat. The two married February 27, 1977 at the National Guard Armory in Fresno, California. Two years later they moved to the Redding area and he became a private pilot for the local neurosurgeons. In 2000 he retired from flying.

Bomber stayed busy even in his retirement. He spent his time doing things he loved like raising his grandson, Morgan John-Ray Bomkamp, golfing and working on computers.

He is survived by his wife of 33 years Joyce Bomkamp; daughters Paula Bomkamp of Montana, Denise Nalty and her husband Shannon of Montana, Cindy Sappington of Utah; sons Rick Cox and his wife AyeSoe of California, Steve Bomkamp and his wife Shaneata of California; brother Thomas Bomkamp and his wife Enza of Tennessee; sister Dianne Lake and her husband Michael of California; grandchildren Sean Nalty, Kevin Nalty, Ryan Nalty, Chelsee Marie Joy Bomkamp and Morgan John-Ray Bomkamp; he is a mentor and father figure to Mike Capponi, Roman Salas and Jeremy Garcia.

Bomber is preceded in death by his parents Edward and Anna Bomkamp.

A graveside service will be held in his honor on Friday, January 21, 2010 at 2p.m. at the Northern California Veterans Cemetery, 11800 Gas Point Rd, Igo, CA. Arrangements are in the care of Lawncrest Chapel (530-222-1587)