Harry Clifford Raps

Harry Clifford Raps, 84, was born February 3, 1931 in Astoria, Queens, New York, to the late Bessie Raps. Unfortunately his father, Fred Raps, was killed 3 days before he was born. Growing up in the depression, I'm sure had its very difficult times, but Harry, an only child, got involved, he was a boy scout. He played semi-pro football and baseball and even tried out for the Brooklyn Dodgers and the Philadelphia Phillies. He said he wasn't picked because, "I was all glove and no stick." He joined the Navy and while serving in the Korean War, his destroyer/mine sweeper USS Hobson were practicing routine night maneuvers with the aircraft carrier, Wasp. Harry was on the bridge at the time of impact. The Wasp split the Hobson in half, and his ship sunk in 4 mins. As the ship was going down, it sucked Harry deep within the ocean, by the grace of God he survived. 176 sailors perished and at that time it was classified as the worst disaster in modern peacetime naval history. There were only 2 survivors on Long Island, NY, him being one of them. Trudi Lutz, thought she knew him from high school so she wrote him a letter stating "she was glad he survived". They met on a blind date and were married 4 weeks later. Their marriage lasted for almost 58 years. They resided in Commack, NY for 35 yrs., retiring to Florida and for the last 12 yrs he resided in California to be with his family. Harry was an avid bowler achieving his highest score of 287. His greatest achievement in life was his family, his marriage to Trudi and being a great dad to his 2 girls, Colleen and Donna, but especially being a Pop-Pop to all his grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his wife, Trudi and grandson, Tanner. He is survived by his daughter, Colleen (Brad); grandchildren, Tara(Kevin), Tanya, Tasha (Kyle), Trisha (Zak), Thomas (Bailey) and Taylor; great grandchildren, Ashlee, Torie, Donald, Madison, Eliana, Natalie, Phoenix and Pyper and 1 great great grandson, Issaiah; Daughter, Donna (Anthony), grandson, Rob; great grandchildren, Peyton and Samantha.

Harry accepted the Lord in his 70's while attending Valley Baptist listening to Vietnam Vet Tim Lee share his testimony. He had great love for Jesus and his whole family. He will be dearly missed and always remembered by family and friends. A Special thank you to Dr. Albert Peinado, who took top notch care of him while in CA. Harry always said he went the extra mile, and was just "A Great Guy". A special thank you to Dr. Nick Hansa for the excellent care.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 19, 2016 from 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. with a Funeral Service beginning at 11:00 a.m. at Basham Funeral Care (3312 Niles St.) A Graveside Service will follow at Bakersfield National Cemetery (30338 E. Bear Mountain Blvd.)