Another honorable WWII veteran of the US Navy who graced us on earth has passed on. Raul Figueroa passed away July 1, 2014, @ 8:15 am. He went peacefully with his wife and daughter by his side, after a long battle with health issues. His strength and resilience amazed us so many times. He lived a very full life and was loved by all.

He was so very proud of being a seaman at the end of WWII. He spent his two Navy years in Pearl Harbor, chasing the hula girls and driving Earl Warren in his jeep. He was a seaman at heart for his whole life and loved Hawaii. He was a Teamster and drove trucks for more than 40 years. He watched Las Vegas grow from a small town to what it is today as he made 2-3 round trips a week from LA, delivering produce to Las Vegas.

Raul was born on July 22, 1928 and passed away on Tuesday, July 1, 2014.

Raul was a resident of Buena Park, California for 57 years. He was the original owner of the house that he passed away in. We were able to honor his wishes to go peacefully at home surrounded by all that loved him.

He joins his first wife, Evelyn, who lost her battle with cancer in 1983. He went on with his life and united with his present wife, Mary, in 1987. He is also survived by his 3 daughters: Rosalie, Vivian, and Renee, three brothers: Alex, Ronnie, Henry and sister Esther. His daughters along with his Stepson Glenn provided him with 13 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.

After his Teamster retirement from Smith's, he and Mary enjoyed traveling far and wide and being with all his extended family. He liked his Tequila, Jack Daniels, and Johnny Walker Scotch. He loved to cook and barbecue and did much entertaining. His house has always been called the "party house" as it is on La Fiesta (the party) Drive. He had so many memorable get-togethers playing host.

We will always remember Raul as a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, godfather, uncle, brother and a good friend. He had a heart of gold and always helped others. All of those that knew him will agree how Raul was the most honest, happy-go-lucky and loving person that you will ever meet.

In a tribute to Raul's love of Hawaii and honoring his Navy service time he spent at Pearl Harbor, we request that you not wear black and wear a Hawaiian shirt, dress, skirt, lei, etc.

Flowers may be sent to the Mortuary or in lieu of flowers consideration for donations be made to one of two charities in memory of Raul Figueroa.

Braille Institute or Chisomo Mission Children of the Street Orphanage.

Braille Institute is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to eliminate barriers to a fulfilling life caused by blindness and severe sight loss. They provide an environment of hope and encouragement through integrated educational, social, and recreational programs through their services, classes, and seminars.

Memory of Raul Figueroa

Send check or money order to

Braille Institute

527 N Dale Avenue

Anaheim, CA 92801

Chisomo Mission Children of the Street Orphanage. This charity originally started in memory of our dear family friend Marianne O'Quinn who passed away last year at the age of 52 years young. Raul has always been very passionate about giving back and helping others, especially children. Donations made to Chisomo Mission Children of the Street Orphanage, in Lusaka, Zambia, Africa will help to build a safe place for these children to sleep and fresh water to drink. They will learn to farm and raise chickens so they will not go hungry. The older boys will learn the art of brick making so that they can be a part of the building process, while also learning a new trade. When the orphanage is built a plaque will hang in Raul's memory.

Memory of Raul Figueroa

Online at: www.gcmweb.org

Or Send check or money order to

Great Com Ministries

c/o Janie Howard

PO Box 1726

Monument, CO. 80132