Richard O Estrada Sr.

Richard O. Estrada, Sr., 92, of Wichita Falls passed away Wednesday, June 27, 2012. Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 AM Saturday, June 30, 2012 at Hampton Vaughan Funeral Home Chapel. Graveside Services will follow in Crestview Memorial Park under the auspices of the Masons and the U. S. Army Honor Guard. Visitation will be from 6:00 until 8:00 Friday evening at Hampton Vaughan.

Mr. Estrada was born on April 3, 1920 in Newcastle, TX to the late Eusebio and Simona (Ojeda) Estrada. Richard enlisted in the U. S. Army on June 1, 1942 and was honorably discharged on July, 4, 1946. He served during World War II in the Red Bull 34th Infantry Division in North Africa and Italy and received a Purple Heart. It was in Bologna, Italy that he met Iris Tagliazucchi and they were married there on December 5, 1945. They settled in Wichita Falls and Iris preceded him in death here in 1996. Richard was a member of the First Mexican Baptist Church and was also a 32nd Degree Mason. As a young man, Richard and his brothers formed the Estrada Brothers Orchestra and performed in many venues. He was employed by Civil Service as a Mechanic Instructor at Sheppard AFB, retiring in 1987 after 38 years. He was also an avid sports enthusiast, especially all the local high schools and MSU, where he could be found at all of their sporting events. Richard was loving and kind family man. He will be best remembered to his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren for his love and patience.

Besides his wife and parents, Richard was also preceded by a son, Arno Estrada in 2007. He was also the last of his siblings. Survivors include a daughter, Elizabeth Hamby and a son, Richard Estrada, Jr. and wife, Delia, all of Wichita Falls; five grandchildren, Lisa Estrada-Hamby of Wichita Falls, Elena Mischon and husband, Jay of Houston, TX, Richard Estrada, III and wife, Ria of Austin, TX, Vanessa Allette of Fort Worth, TX and Kris Estrada of Dallas, TX; four great granddaughters, Alyssa, Ryland, Claire and Elise.

In lieu of usual remembrances, the family suggests memorial contributions to American Hospice, 4210 Kell Blvd., #211, Wichita Falls, TX 76309.

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