Richard M Lucero

In loving memory of Richard Lucero (aka Ricardo, Papa Bear, Big Daddio, Big Kahuna, ROY, El Capitan), a beloved soul, who passed away peacefully in his sleep after a long battle with cancer on September 4th, 2022. He is survived by his children, Renee (Joe) Palandri, Michael (Christina), Ronald (Chea) and Olivia (Lars), his grandchildren Nicholas, Anthony and Michael Palandri, Maxton Patience and Abigail Lucero, and Elias and Aksel Andersen, and brother Daniel (Rose).
Richard is preceded in death by his parents Amoroso Lucero and Viola Hampton, brother Arthur Lucero, and his wife and soul mate, Sally Jo. Their relationship was the manifestation of true love, for they remained hand-in-hand for 39 years. Together, they raised their children to find joy in the small moments, adventure strongly and to weather challenges with the realization that this too will pass. Years were filled with road trips (music up, windows down), backyard pool parties and countless dinners with stomachs more sore from laughing than eating.
Richard was born in Wilmington, CA with a surfboard on his feet. At the age of 18, he married Sally and moved to Salt Lake City to start a new job as an engineer on the Rio Grand Railroad. He loved his job and his friends (especially Sam). He worked until an accident left him disabled. After strokes and several surgeries, Richard overcame many challenges to fashion a new life for himself for he was always a fighter.
Richard and Sally decided to have one last adventure when they moved to Maple Valley, WA in 2007 where they found a lovely, supportive community of neighbors and friends and he joined the Knights of Columbus. Recently, he moved to Fountain Court Community, saving his waning strength for daily coffee with "my buddies".
Richard was a joyous and fun-loving soul; he had a boisterous laugh balanced by a comforting calm. He was the life of the party ("Get down like James Brown") with his jokes, karate-chop dance moves and propensity toward spoken word. He magnetized smiles. He was always down. His yard was perfect and his house was too clean; you could see your reflection in the hood of his car. He also had a keen sensitivity; his nature was to never judge others, but rather to invite, accept and comfort. He was "Grandpa" to all. He was utterly adored and will be greatly missed. We are blessed to have him as our angel.

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