Raymond “Ray” Edward Dwiggins June 12, 1926 – December 10, 2018 On December 10, surrounded by his family in Escondido, California, Ray returned to his heavenly father after a long battle with COPD. Ray was born in Scottsbluff, Nebraska. At 17 years old during World War II, he answered his nation’s call by enlisting in the Navy.
Following basic and occupational training in Farragut, Idaho, he was assigned to Carrier Air Support Unit 54, serving in the Pacific Theater at the Marshall Islands and Okinawa, Japan. In 1946, Ray married the late Peggy Livengood. They settled in Scottsbluff and had three daughters.
After a short time, they moved to Cheyenne, Wyoming, and a few years later to Modesto, California. In 1972 they settled in Escondido, California. Ray always had a desire for knowledge.
Even after building a fruitful professional life despite leaving high school to serve during WWII, he insisted on completing his studies. He earned his GED in 1976 at the age of 50. In recent years, his grandson Cameron set up his computer and taught him to use it, so he could keep in touch with family and friends through email, Facebook, and his favorite, FaceTime.
No matter who he was talking to he was always the quickest to hang up FaceTime, which quickly became a running joke in the family. He got comfortable enough with the computer that he was able to signup online with DonateLife to be an organ and tissue donor. Ray had the unique ability to make friends wherever he went.
He made everyone he was with feel loved and cherished. When he wasn’t working or spending time with his girls, Ray loved square-dancing – so much so that he started his own club, the Y-Nots, where he was the founder and dance caller. He also loved singing bass in the Hope Wesleyan Church choir.
Ray is survived by his wife Dottie; daughters: Judy (Jack) Hickey, Bonnie (Charlie) Farrar, Connie (John) Souza; niece and daughter of his heart Vicki (Charlie) Higgins; brother Chuck (Louise) Dwiggins; step-sons: Larry Casey and John Casey; grandchildren: Troy (Stacie) Fleischman, Justin Pickens, Cameron (Julie) Mackenzie, Jeremy (Tiffany) Pickens, Jessica (Marc) Morita, Derek (Katy) Souza, Becca Farrar; greatgrandchildren: Jacqueline Ramos, Addi Fleischman, Jake Pickens, Jocelyn Pickens, Brock Fleischman, Emalee Pickens, Wyatt Weeks, Alexis Mackenzie, Caylie Fleischman, Kelsey Mackenzie, Lily Morita, Giovanni Souza, Cam Mackenzie, Angelo Souza; nephews: Charlie (Kim) Higgins, Virgil (Alicia) Higgins, Raymond (Jennifer) Higgins, Alex (Stephanie) Dwiggins, Hugh (Ivy) Dwiggins, and many more extended family members and friends. When he reached heaven, Ray was greeted by the beloved mother of his children Peggy Livengood; parents: Fern Dwiggins, and Virgil “Hi” Dwiggins; sister Clare James; and grandson Nico Elliot Souza. Ray will be laid to rest at Bakersfield National Cemetery during a private ceremony at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Ray’s name to the Honor Flight Network. Honor Flight held a special place in his heart after they sponsored his trip to Washington, D.C., to visit the National WWII Memorial. Honor Flight’s primary mission is to ensure every WWII veteran has the chance to see THEIR memorial before they pass on, regardless of their financial ability.
Please donate online at www. honorflight.org/donate-online/ The wonderful team at Porterville Funeral & Cremation Center in Porterville, California are directing all arrangements. www.
If you found any mistakes, or you would like to add/remove to this obituary, please contact us by email: info@obituary.memorial. We never ask money for this.
