By Mike Hazlip–
Friends of Raymond S. Oliver gathered at the Aerospace Museum of California last Friday to remember the Citrus Heights man known as an historian, journalist, and curmudgeon.
The celebration, titled “Everybody Loves Raymond,” was held at the museum that is now part of McClellan Park. Friends and family highlighted Oliver’s contributions to the Citrus Heights community and as a founding member of the Aerospace Museum.
Oliver’s niece, Kat Griffith, said she remembers her uncle as a kind and generous person despite what Griffith called a grumpy persona.
“Oh, he was a grouch,” Griffith said of Oliver. “He was a wonderful, funny, knowledgeable, interesting, sarcastic, grouch, which sums him up beautifully I think.”
Oliver was instrumental in creating what was originally named the Air Force Logistics Museum of the West at McClellan Air Force Base, according to Griffith. Articles retrieved from the Sacramento Bee show Oliver worked to acquire some of the organization’s first aircraft, an F-86, F-101, and an EC-121.
Oliver was also involved in renaming the organization to the McClellan Aviation Museum, according to the Bee. That name would continue until 2005 when the organization took on the current title, Aerospace Museum of California.
Larry Fritz of the Citrus Heights Historical Society said that Oliver also worked as the historian for McClellan Air Force Base, writing for a newsletter that was distributed throughout the base. Fritz credited Oliver with being the founder and first curator of the museum.
“At some point, it became a big thing,” Fritz said of the museum. “They turned it into what we now know today as the Aerospace Museum of California. Much bigger than it was when Ray started it. But he was the founder and the one who got this whole thing going.”
After initially facing opposition for the museum, Fritz said Oliver eventually found support after a change in command.
Oliver became involved in the Citrus Heights Historical Society after moving to the city from North Highlands in 2016, Fritz said.
“He had such a love for history and a love of sharing history with people that he fit right in with our group,” Fritz said.
Fritz described Oliver as fun to be with, despite his reputation as a curmudgeon.
Oliver met Helen in a widowed persons group after his first wife, Olga, passed away. The two grew close during the last seven years of Oliver’s life, Helen said.
“Everybody loves Raymond,” Helen said. “He’s just a totally lovable guy. He had his opinions but he was never outspoken, never condemning anything. He was such a wonderful guy.”
Oliver was born in 1935 and passed away Thursday, April 10, 2025.
