DONALD RAY WATERS
Donald Ray Waters was born in Richmond, CA on December 2nd, 1938 and passed at the age of 83 on May 7, 2022 in Chico, CA.
He is survived by his loving wife of 53 Years Arleyne Iona Waters, sons, Mike and Todd, daughter Kimberly, stepchildren: Kaylene, Karri, Bo, Ann and Mike, grandchildren: Tiffany, Victoria, Carissa, Derik, Meagan, Tammi, Daniel, Diana, Kory, Danyel,
Troy, Kory and Kevin, great-grandchildren: Briley, Diane, Nicole, Michael, Lyla, Jayden, Colin, Micah, Merik, Gavin. He is preceded by his parents Paul and June Waters, sisters Teri and Sharon.
He is survived by brother, Kenneth, several nieces and nephews, Duck Club family and many special friends.
Growing up in Chico as a young boy he fished Chico Creek & Sandy Gulch. He had many animals, dogs and cats. He fed the cats minnows from the creek. To escape the heat his family, aunts, uncles and cousins would spend the summers at the Potato Patch campground.
He liked to ride his bike to Forest Ranch, Butte City and other places to fish and hunt. He had a life-time love for the outdoors, fishing and hunting.
He attended Chico Schools, Citrus, Central and Chico High. As a young man he served in the National Guard and the Army Reserves.
To the surprise of many, at the age of 29 he met and married the "love of his life" Arleyne and her 5 children. He was a loving father to all 8 of his children.
After 34 years of service, he retired from Chico Unified School District as the head painter. He spent a lot of his time involved in CSEA at all different levels, including being president. One of his greatest accomplishments was being instrumental in proposing and getting a state law passed that protected public employees involved in transportation.
He was involved in the WDC, a local Duck Club, for 44 years and served as president for 40 of those years, where he formed life-long friendships. His greatest love of all is his wife Arleyne.
They truly enjoyed each others company and spent many hours on drives to wherever the road led them. Whether it be the mountains, or the coast or a quick trip to Gridley for a maple nut ice-cream one.
They also spent many vacations and weekends camping on Deer Creek & Crater Lake, CA.
Don loved to watch Westerns and it brought him great joy when the western channel came out.
Graveside services will be held on Friday, May 20th @ 11:00 am at the Chico Cemetery.
Viewing will be held at Newton Bracewell from 9:00 to 10:00 am.
In Don’s honor, a drop in ice-cream social will be held outside at Trinity Methodist Church from 1:30 to 3:30 pm. 285 E. 5th Street, Chico, CA 95928.
In lieu of flowers please enjoy some time in his treasured outdoors.