Mr. Ricardo Carlos Saldivar's Obituary
Ricardo Carlos Saldivar, 89, passed away on Wednesday, November 21, 2012, as he peacefully gazed from the window of his Manvel home, surrounded by his children and grandchildren. Born at home in Laredo, Texas on April 9, 1923, Richard first met the love of his life, Ida Mendiola, in grade school. He enlisted in the Marines on Veterans Day, November 11, 1941 and was shipped to Australia during the Pacific War in 1942. Even from a distance, Richard courted Ida with elaborate love letters, always signing off with: "I hardly have time to write, but still I have time to love you." Ida wrote a letter to him every day for three years. His tour in the Pacific War took him to Australia, Guadalcanal, Peleliu, Okinawa, and China. He was discharged in 1945 and proposed to Ida in a letter before he returned to Texas. They were married on January 6, 1946. He attended Texas A&M for machinery and enjoyed a career in the oil industry as supervisor at Hughes Tool Company before becoming a rancher at Saldivar Six Bar Ranch. Richard found peace and recreation at his beautiful ranch in Laredo, where his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren learned to fish, hunt, and work with diligence from their funny, loving Abuelo. He coached baseball for many years and brought his Edgewood American Little League team to championship, where they won the division title. None of the achievements or awards were counted so special by Saldivar as the wealth of family and neighbors, the lively friends and companionship of many fine Marine comrades. Richard was a devoted husband, and a loving father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He demonstrated courage in the most trying of circumstances, but always maintained his sense of humor and jovial nature. His kindness, generosity, and decency served as a model to the countless individuals with whom he maintained a unique and special relationship. Richard was preceded in death by parents Raymundo and Hortencia Saldivar, and brothers Alberto and Raymundo Saldivar. He is survived by his wife, Ida, and his children: Richard Saldivar and wife Mary, Delma Menard and husband David, Laura Clay and husband Bruce, Edward Saldivar and wife Patrice, Vanessa Saldivar, and Ernest Saldivar and wife Tina; 22 grandchildren; and 24 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Idalia Nerpal. Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 27, in the Chapel of SouthPark Funeral Home, 1310 North Main in Pearland, with a rosary in Mr. Saldivar's honor from 7:30 to 8:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial is to be offered at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 28, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 6502 CR #48 in Manvel, Texas.
The Rite of Committal is to follow, via an escorted cortege, at South Park Cemetery, 1310 North Main Street, in Pearland. In lieu of customary remembrances, contributions in Richard Saldivar's memory may be directed to the CHRISTUS Foundation for HealthCare-Healthy Living Mobile Unit at P.O. Box 1919, Houston, TX, 77251-1919
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