Manuel Rais

Manuel was born on December 12, 1934 and left us on August 8, 2011. Manuel was born in Douglas City on the family home ranch, to his parents Manuel and Mary Rais. Just a day late from being a Christmas present. His many adventures in life probably started with driving the school bus at an early age since he was the last kid off the bus. He also burnt the school house down, retaliation or accident that is the question. He accomplished many things in his life, most all of them involved his horses and mules, sometimes I think, that if he had his way they would have been invited into the house, Ooops, scratch that he did. Manuel also invited many kids into his life, having taken on the Jr. Pleasure Park Drill Master position for so many years that some of the original Drill Team had their kids in the Drill Team, with Manuel still directing them through the drills. In the last few years Manuel spent his time riding, taking fishing trips with friends and family to every lake he could find that had or in some case didn’t have a trail to it. He was involved with the Backcountry Horsemen, Scott Valley Pleasure Park, and also spent many hours in his work shop repairing horse tack and building pack saddles and anything horse related. He was always looking for the perfect horse or mule to add to his collection of pets. Usually bring home the misfits and then bringing out the best in them. Other favorite pastimes were harassing his dog Muttley and the Cat, and anyone else that happened to be around at the time. Family Members: daughters, Cathy Shipman and Mary Rais, grandson, Steve Fowler, life partner, Mary Beebe, Mary’s Daughter, Renee and her husband, Scott and children, Lauren & Curtis Ostrander, nephew, Ralph Rais, daughter Angie, nephew, Paul Preston. niece, Judy and husband, Clint O’Connor and son Bryon, nieces, Mary Wilburn and children David and Alisha, Janet Davison and her husband, Ron and 3 children, Cousin, Stan Garvin. Honorary Family Members; Tammi Callahan, every member of the Jr. Pleasure Park Drill Team that ever rode. Manuel also left many friends behind who were always welcome to stop by and visit. Graveside services performed by Rev. Drew Travis will be held on Tuesday, August 16, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. in the Etna Cemetery with a potluck reception being held at the City Park in Etna following the services. In lieu of flowers, contributions my be made to Backcountry Horsemen Top of the State Unit, P.O. Box 461, Etna, CA 96027, Scott Valley Pleasure Park, P.O.Box 337, Etna, CA 96027 or The American Cancer Society, 31 W. 6th Street, Medford, OR 97501 would be greatly appreciated. Girdner Funeral Chapel is assisting the family.

Manuel Rais

December 26, 1934 - August 9, 2011