17th Willapa Bay Lighthouse Keeper / 1919-1920
Raymond was born on 21 May 1882 in Wisconsin to a lighthouse keeper Joseph Dunson & Frances (Trimbell) Dunson
Father in Lighthouse Service
Having grown up with a father in the Lighthouse service it was only natural for Raymond to follow in his fathers footsteps. In 1905 he started as 1st assistant Lighthouse Keeper under his father Joseph Dunson. In 1910 he transferred to Cape Argo as 1st assistant until transferring again in 1919 to Willapa Bay Lighthouse as principal Lighthouse Keeper with Jacob Ericksen. (most likely Acting principal due to Ericksen’s inability to perform his duties. Jacob Ericksen was 20 years his senior but had family tragedies and possible ill health)
Also in 1910 Raymond married Georgia Kate Poor in South Bend WA.
In 1920 he transferred to Alki Point as 1st assistant and it was here that he was officially promoted before his 1932 transfer to Yaquina Head Lighthouse as Principle Lighthouse Keeper.
In 1937 Raymond transferred to Mukilteo Lighthouse. A position he held until 1939.
Willapa Bay Lighthouse Number 17?
Ray was more like number 16 ½ Lighthouse Keeper at Willapa Bay. Anders Gjertsen (#15) had just retired and Jacon Ericksen (#16) was having health issues on top of suffering from the personal tragedy his daughter’s early death mean he needed to be replaced quickly. Ray was the man for the job but Ray’s time at Willapa Bay was very short.