Bolton, Raymond Paul

Raymond Paul Bolton

June 5, 1948 – April 29, 2024

Raymond Paul Bolton, age 75, passed away on Monday, April 29, 2024 in Elk Grove, California
due to kidney failure.

Ray was born on June 5, 1948 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to parents Dorothea Emma
Gusovius Bolton and Joseph Daniel Bolton, both from Philadelphia.

Ray proudly served in the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam War engaging in
combat patrols as part of the 1 st Searchlight Battery. In this assignment, he would travel alone
in a jeep at night using infrared and white light to identify enemy positions. He received
several military medals for his service including a Navy Commendation Medal for defending
the Cam Lo Bridge after detecting enemy soldiers attempting to place demolition charges, the
Presidential Unit Citation for his part protecting the Khe Sanh combat base during active
combat, and a Purple Heart due to being injured in battle. His service in the Marine Corps
shaped much of his life and values. He forged a bond of brotherhood with every veteran he
encountered, often addressing each other as “brother” before parting ways. He frequently
treated young veterans to meals whenever he spotted them in restaurants.

Following his military service, he had a 30-year career as a U.S. postal worker.

Ray cherished traveling alongside his wife, exploring his family’s ancestral homes in Ireland
and Great Britain. He also loved to be near the ocean with Hawaii ranking as his top
destination. He would also make frequent trips to Monterey and Carmel, California. In
addition, he enjoyed shopping for hats, watches, and collecting memorabilia related to
the U.S. Marine Corps.

Ray was always generous to those he saw in need. Often, he would buy lunch for an individual
he felt needed some help. He was known to offer money to nieces and nephews for French
fries, a new suit, or anything he felt they needed. He also loved and cared for a group of cats in
his neighborhood (much to the chagrin of his neighbors and brother-in-law who had to feed
them when Ray traveled).

He is survived by his wife, Donna Scott Bolton of Elk Grove, California, his sister, Doris Jean
Bolton Walsh of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and his nieces and nephews: Robert Walsh,
Barbara Walsh Martina, Donna Bolton Wingood, Michael Bolton, Marybeth Bolton Mahadas,
Jacqui Bolton Gilpin, and Karen Bolton White.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Dorothea and Joseph Bolton, and his brothers, Joseph
Daniel (Sonny) and John Robert (Jackie) Bolton.