Recognizing Mr. Ray Mish

Floor Speech

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Mr. VALADAO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Mr. Ray Mish, who passed away on April 3, 2024. Mr. Mish was born in Okmulgee, Oklahoma on April 24, 1924. He was raised by his grandmother and two aunts, who became his caregivers after being separated from his parents. He received his first ten years of education in a parochial school and finished high school in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Mr. Mish's passion for the funeral industry started at a young age, when he worked as a sidewalk sweeper for a funeral home. At the age of 15, Mr. Mish began working for the funeral home until he enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1941, when he was 17. He served in World War II and was later honorably discharged in Fort Devens, Massachusetts, due to an injury he sustained during his service.

After his service, Mr. Mish moved to California to further his education. He earned a business degree with a minor in advertising, and later obtained a degree in Mortuary Science from the California Mortuary Science College in Los Angeles. After receiving his degree, he became a Licensed Funeral Director in the state of California. In 1947, Mr. Mish settled in Bakersfield and began working for two local mortuaries. He married Betty, his high school sweetheart, in 1951, and together they raised two children. In 1960, Mr. Mish and his family purchased a vacant building in Oildale. They used this space to open their own funeral business, Mish Funeral Home-Oildale. His mission was to ensure that every family who visited the funeral home was treated with compassion, respect, and honesty--making sure that financial constraints did not hinder a family's ability to honor their loved ones. Today, Mish Funeral Home-Oildale remains dedicated to this mission.

In addition to managing the family funeral home, Mr. Mish made many significant contributions to the Kern County community. As a veteran of World War II, Mr. Mish helped form an Honor Guard through the American Legion, which he was also a proud member of. He led the first volunteer Veterans Honor Guard in Kern County along with the Legion Secretary and twelve other legion members. Additionally, Mr. Mish was a member of the St. Francis of Assisi Church, as well as numerous clubs including Kiwanis Club of Oildale, Lions Club of Bakersfield, Elks No. 266, and North Bakersfield Rotary. Mr Mish's service to our country and commitment to the Kern County community will always be remembered.

Mr. Speaker, I ask all my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join me in honoring the incredible life of Mr. Ray Mish.

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