Raymond Etcheverry

January 3, 1949 - February 27, 2024

Raymond Etcheverry

The blizzard of 1949 was known as the worst on record.
It came with lots of snow, strong winds, and frigid temperatures. Blocked railroads and unpassable roads were everywhere.
Operation “Haylift” was first introduced to feed the cattle that were left stranded and starving.
While braving the forces of nature, a young couple living in the Natomas mining camp 20 miles south, were trying to make their way hurriedly into the town of Battle Mountain for the impending birth of their young son.
After having to stop the pickup every few miles so that the both parents could get out and scrape the frozen ice off the windshield, the mother often said she wished her husband would have driven faster.
Raymond Etcheverry was born on January 3rd, 1949, to Helene and Joseph Etcheverry, both of whom were Basque immigrants. Growing up in the small mining camp was a joy for the kids who lived there, many of them remained lifelong friends.
Life in the small mining camp was a perfect place for little boys who liked to throw rocks, play marbles and shoot off dynamite.
When the time came to move into Battle Mountain, many of Raymonds neighbors moved along with them.
The friendships continued when every Sunday was spent going up to the sheep camp at the top of Lewis canyon where meals were shared with several other families.
Raymond started his work career washing dishes when he was 12 years old, for Gorden Estes who was the butcher at Midway Market. Raymond was paid 50 cents a day.
Gorden took him under his wing and taught him everything he knew about cutting meat.
He was a great teacher, mentor and friend. Raymond, while in high school, took first place in the Future Farmers of America Nevada State meat cutting contest.
He then went on to win second place in the national meat cutting competition in Kansas City.
Raymond served in the US Army during the Vietnam war.
He was stationed as the man in charge of the meat cutters in a Korean Processing plant. It was interesting to note that 90% of the meat was coming from his home state of Nevada. Raymond always said that the Nevada beef was the best-looking meat that ever came through the plant.
When Raymond returned from the military, he went to work for Dick Swackhamer and once again with Gordan Estes at the grocery store.
With Dick as a partner there was always lots of laughs and cherished memories. But working with Gordan in the butcher shop was the highlight of his meat cutting years.
Raymond credited Gordan’s kindness and guidance for the accomplishments in his life. He has lived his life trying to repay Gordon by passing along that kindness to others.
In 1995, Raymond became the sole owner of Etcheverry’s Foodtown.
Everyone thinks that Raymond enjoyed working…and he did! But, he also loved to fish, and was very good at catching them with his bare hands (which he learned to do from his dad).
His hunting trips to Alaska were the most adventurous and memorable of his life (thanks to his brother John).
He loved boating and spent countless hours pulling many kids around on skies, wakeboards, and tubes.
But in the last few years his greatest joy, second only to being with grandchildren, was cooking for and spending time with friends and family.
Sadly, Raymond left us unexpectedly on February 27, 2024.
He was preceded in death by his parents Helene and Joseph Etcheverry, a brother, Alex, two nephews, Jacob and Randy Etcheverry, and a niece, Michelle Henshaw.
He is survived by his loving wife, Brenda, his brother, John (Susan) Etcheverry of Fairbanks, sister, Bernadette (Joel) Lenz of Battle Mountain, daughter, Chantelle (Eddie) Batton of Reno, stepdaughters, Brittney (Nick) Lewis, Ashley (Robert) Knight, Brooke (Fritz) Knight, stepson, Derek (Sheyleie) Gunter, thirteen grandchildren, and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
Those that knew him, understood that he was humble, and detested being in the limelight.
He was generous to his core, and gave without wanting any recognition.
As he requested that there will be no services, but as a family we are having a gathering of friend (open to all) at the Civic Center on the March 30th from 4pm to 8pm.
Raymond would be smiling to see everyone eating and visiting with each other.
In lieu of flowers please do something unexpected for someone else. But, if you must, there is a scholarship in the works at Battle Mountain High School.