Richard Raymond Lucero

Richard Raymond Lucero, age 80, of Sacramento, California passed away June 30, 2024.

Richard, the eighth of nine children, was born and raised in Woodland, California to Aurelio and Mercedes Lucero, of Durango, Mexico. As children of farm laborers, Richard and his siblings learned that hard work and determination was an essential part of life, a lesson he utilized throughout his life. During his school years at Beamer Elementary and Woodland High School, Richard was involved in the Boy Scouts, played as many sports as he could, and played the drums and guitar in local bands with his cousins and brothers. After graduating from High School, Richard attended Sacramento City College, where he became involved in the boxing program and earned the nickname of “Bear”, which he was known by for the rest of his life.

Richard was very proud to have served in the military during the Vietnam War. He was drafted in 1965 and was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 34th Artillery, 9th Infantry Division. As a Radio Operator and forward observer, he and his Infantry Division patrolled the rivers and deltas of the Mekong Delta, working in conjunction with the U. S. Navy. This joint task force launched amphibious assaults to deny the Vietcong from entering the Mekong Delta.

When Richard came home from the war, he married his first wife and had two children. He is a 1975 alumni of U.C.Davis, graduating with a degree in Applied Behavioral Science. Following graduation, he operated a non-profit job training center for disadvantaged people. Later, he married Natalie and they opened the Sutter Street Saloon in Folsom; ultimately retiring from employment with the State of California.

Richard is survived by his son Richard (Jamie) Lucero, his daughter Aurelia (Michael) Lofton, step children: Danny (Barbara) Mendoza, Sandra (Greg) Shurtz, and Herbert Mendoza, Jr.. Also, survived by grand-children: James, Joshua, Michael, Avalyn, Jamese, Bree Ann, Berlyn, and Matthew. His surviving siblings are: Gloria Fernandez, Luis Lucero, and Ernie Lucero, as well as his many loving nephews, nieces, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his wife Natalie, parents Aurelio and Mercedes Lucero, and siblings: Al, Pete, Rudy, Angie, and Josie.

Richard will be remembered for his larger than life personality and sense of humor. He was well-known for telling jokes and stories that made everyone laugh, and sometimes, got him into trouble. During his lifetime he enjoyed spending time with family and friends, listening to music, watching sports, fishing, going to the ocean, and shopping online. He will be greatly missed by his loving family and many friends.

He is interred at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery.