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- The Bakersfield Californian, California, Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Raymond Derwood Bass
Raymond Bass October 5, 1920 - December 20, 2009 Raymond Derwood Bass was born in Elk City, Oklahoma. Raymond is survived by his wife of 32 years, Patty Bass; his son, Wayne; 2 stepdaughters, Debra Pitts Garrett and Connie Pitts Brizendine; and 6 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. His 4 brothers, Noah, Everett, John and Bill, all in their eighties and nineties, are still living. He was preceded in death by his wife, Estelle; daughter, Carol and stepson, Frank Pitts.
In 1942 Raymond completed U.S. Army Air Corps pilot training in B24 Liberators and joined the 8th Air force in England. In World War II, after being shot down in Germany, he managed to land and was interned in Sweden. In December 1944, Raymond returned to Minter Field. Honorably discharged in 1946, he elected to stay in Bakersfield. Raymond joined Walter Mortensen Insurance in 1946, becoming President and CEO in 1967. Raymond was active in insurance associations for many years and retired from Walter Mortensen in 1988.
Raymond was a community oriented man having founded the Bakersfield Kiwanis Scholarship Fund. He had been either a director or officer of the following organizations: Bakersfield Kiwanis, Stockdale Country Club, Kern County Pilots Associations, and Bakersfield Memorial Hospital Auxiliary. Raymond was also the cofounder of Operation Friendship.
We would like to thank Diann Calhoun and Mercy Hospice for their special care. Donations in Raymond's name may be made to the Bakersfield Kiwanis Scholarship Fund, St. Paul's Anglican Church or the Bakersfield Salvation Army. Private services are pending.
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Bassett Family Association Database
1920 - 2009 (89 years)