On a recent sunny afternoon, Ray Burgess stood on the porch of the Corralitos home in which he has lived for six decades, staring out at the pastoral apple orchard across the street. He had just donned the same WWII jacket he wore as a 19-year-old Army sergeant for a photo.
Burgess lives on his own in his 133-year-old house after his wife Catherine died three years ago after 75 years of marriage. He will celebrate his 100th birthday on June 27.
Catherine’s death was the end of one chapter in his life, of a story that began when the two met in a Gilroy orphanage when they were both 4.
This was the depth of the Great Depression, and when Burgess’s father died of pneumonia, his mother could not afford to take care of her two sons. So they went to live in an orphanage run by the Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF) and the Rebekahs.
Despite the economic state of the country, the home gave the kids a good life. They raised cattle and grew their own food, with the kids taking on various responsibilities. He recalls dances and ice cream socials, among other things.
When Burgess turned 18 and graduated from high school, his draft orders came in the mail. Before he left, his mother gave him her wedding ring and he and Catherine became engaged.
He then shipped off to serve in the U.S. Army, where he participated in the Battle of the Bulge.
It was during that battle that he was shot in the thigh, but the bullet ricocheted off the gun-cleaning kit he kept there. The impact knocked him unconscious and sent a chunk of shrapnel into his body. Assuming he was dead, his fellow soldiers marched on. But he soon woke up and stopped them.
“I said, ‘I’m not dead yet,’” he said.
The injury earned Burgess a Purple Heart.
He returned home after the war, where Catherine told him to wait a year while she finished her degree at San Jose State before they got married. They had two sons.
Burgess later became a mechanic at Moffett Field, overhauling engines on planes that came from Europe.
He then worked at Watsonville High School, teaching auto shop and training young drivers from 1959-84.
He is a founding father of the Corralitos Padres.
When asked about his secret for a long life, he paused a moment before laughing.
“I exercise, I have a good time, and I don’t think of my age as being important,” he said. “Everyone else does, but I don’t. I have a good time and keep living like I always did.”
I have lived in corraltios in years past. I would ha be e been honored to the ave met this man. Great story and thank you for sharing.
I wonder what he’s going to do for his 100th
I took drivers ed with him 1969, he scolded me for downshifting into a corner 🙂
He was my Driver’s Ed instructor in 1973. I never knew his biography. The 2nd Infantry, bronze star, purple heart. I suppose I should have asked. Thank you Mr. Burgess. Everyone has a story, especially teachers. Best wishes towards 101.