1915-1962
Raymond Goodman was one of the outstanding Berkshire swine breeders in California for a number of years. He was a fine cooperator with the Agricultural Extension Service and the Department of Animal Husbandry at UC Davis; he was a progressive individual in adapting and applying new research information to his operation. Ray was especially noted for fitting and showing market hogs; he was breeder and exhibitor of the Grand Champion Barrow several times at the California State Fair.
He was born in 1915, in Empire, California, to Melvin and Bertha Goodman, one of four sons and two daughters in this farming family. One of his brothers was killed on Okinawa while in the service of his country. Ray and his wife, Maxine, had two children, Rodney and Claudie.
Ray became interested in livestock while operating a trucking partnership with his father and two brothers. Following this succesful operation, they purchased and operated Triangle Ranch near Empire where they raised Berkshire swine and commercial beef cattle for some years. Later the swine herd was dispersed and Ray spent his time raising replacement Holstein heifers until his death at a relatively young age on October 9, 1962.
Mr. Goodman was especially interested in youth. He was a project and community leader in 4-H, an honorary member of the Modesto High School Future Farmers Chapter and the Modesto Junior College Young Farmers, and a member of the advisory committee which directed the development of the building program of the Modesto Junior College Agricultural Department. His ranch was always open to these local students as well as those from the University.
In addition, Ray was an active Farm Bureau member, Lions Club member, volunteer fireman, and a commissioner of the Empire Fire Department for years.