Prolific Pilot’s Aerial Adventures
Comments : 9
Use controls above or click here to open this Hometown Heroes podcast in a new window
Ray McClure of Sanger, CA appears on episode #581 of Hometown Heroes, airing June 20-23, 2019. Still a Gold Seal Certified Flight Instructor at age 95, Ray has flown over 60 different aircraft in an aviation career that dates back to World War II.
For more photos, visit the Hometown Heroes facebook page.
Hello, My Name is Ed Knight. I met Ray and his wife Bonnie in 1963 when I moved from Chicago to Catalina, Is., California. I worked for Radio Station KBIG 740 AM at the time. He was my inspiration for and one of my flight instructors. With his tutoring, I was able to get my Commercial Pilots licenes with multi engine and instrument ratings. Over the years, we have stayed in contact with each other. I have visited with them at their “Flying M Ranch” many times. Bonnie and I are email buddies. She is the one that informed me of Ray’s radio debut! In my lifetime, I’m 77, I have never met another person like Ray. He is like a brother I never had!!
Ed Knight
Ray…we love you!!!! One of the very best “Hometown Heroes” we’ve heard ina long time!!! You are a gifted storyteller and your memories exhibit care, love, and compassion for all…especially your crews. So much wonderfully detailed information. THANK YOU Ray and THANK YOU KMJ!!! “Never Forget” should Always be the mantra of WWII before all other “events”. Ray, hope to continue hearing your stories when you are 130!!!!K
Ron and Sherry Colgate – Oakhurst.
You have lived a life with many years of memories and stories! Thank you for entertaining us by sharing them!! Here is to many more years and to a well deserved hometown hero 🙂 !!
Ray-thank you for your service to our country. It’s men and women like you who have and will, always make this country great. Thank you for taking the time to share your life stories… you truly are one amazing Patriot!
OMG! What an amazing life and stories this American hero has to tell! I was mesmerized from beginning to end. Thank you sir, for your honor, patronage, and service to our country!
I am involved with a local area WWII army air corp pilot training base and would love to get in contact with you with the hope of including you in our events celebrating the contribution so many young Americans gave, unselfishly, in the war effort.
Thank you for your service!
Kerry Wheeler
Eagle Field, Dos Palos, Ca.
Thank you! Please use my contact info to send correspondence to my Father, Raymond McClure. My name is Lori Oken and my email is lorioken@gmail.com. Thank you!
I met Ray McClure when I was a little girl. He taught both my parents how to fly and we’d fly up to Wonder Valley and spend weekends with them. I was a “city” girl and Ray and Bonnie taught me how to shoot, ride horses, care for farm animals and enjoy the “country” life. At the time, I had no idea that Ray was a real life Hero…he was just Ray…the man who was kind, quick with a laugh and so in love with his wife (the kind of relationship I hoped to find when I got older). I’ve had the pleasure of spending time with Ray as an adult, too. I love him dearly! Thank you, Ray, for being in my life…and giving me so many wonderful life lessons.
Thank you so much for keeping history and all this heroes alive.
Dear Ray and Bonnie!
Jeepers…what lives you’ve lived AND keep living! Thank you so for your service Ray…and to you Bonnie for you’re “service” keeping Ray “on the straight ‘n narrow”! You have enhanced our lives more than you know and in ways we all recall regularly! From the funny stories of teaching my wife Carolina to fly at Wonder Valley…to school parent conferences when I taught your daughter Lori at Dunlap…from countless visits of her boys to ranch ‘n cowboy life…to present day egg ‘n dessert drop-offs…every moment of contact has been and is memorable! Y’all are cherished ‘n loved by not only us, but countless others you’ve touched…and continue to be a part of today!
See you w/cake ‘n ice cream on your 130th birthday!
Jeff ‘n Carolina Baggett / Wonder Valley, CA