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Richard Darrell Salazar, a construction operator and former foreman, and lifelong resident of Oklahoma City, OK, passed away peacefully on Friday March 17, 2023, at the age of 76.
Richard is survived by his son, Harry Lee Salazar of Oklahoma City, OK; daughter, Manny Melissa Salazar, and husband, Andy Orquiz of Oklahoma City, OK; granddaughter, Angelina Marie Orquiz, grandsons, Antonio Ramon Orquiz, and Ricardo Miguel Orquiz; twin sister, Carol Ann Herndon of Moore, OK; brothers, Harry Ventura Salazar, and wife Ladonna of Cape Girardeau, MO; Ronald Eugene Salazar and wife Sherry of Oklahoma City, OK; Wendell Dean Salazar of Oklahoma City, OK; and numerous Nieces and Nephews.
He is preceded in death by sister, Patricia Ann Salazar; sister, Barbara Jean Willie; father, Ben Salazar; son, Anthony Ramos Salazar; his wife and love, Valarie Ann Bringing Good- Salazar; grandson, Angel Orquiz; mother, Doris Elizabeth Salazar; and brother-in-law, Everett Lee Herndon.
Richard was born in Oklahoma City, OK on August 2nd, 1946, to Ben and Doris Salazar, just minutes after his twin sister, Carol Ann. He attended Capitol Hill High School from 1960 to 1964, when he enlisted to serve in the United States Marine Corps. While in service as a Marine, he was a member of the 1968 Apollo Launch Site Recovery Force at Cape Kennedy Air Force Station in Florida. And in May of 1970, after serving two years in the U.S. Marine Reserves, he was Honorably Discharged as Corporal (E-4) Richard D. Salazar. Between his active-duty status and his reserve years he met his love, Valarie Ann Bringing Good, and they soon welcomed a son, Harry Lee on November 8th, 1969. On March 4th, 1971, and March 28th, 1977, respectively, they welcomed their son Anthony Ramos and daughter Manny Melissa; they were the most important part of his life, until his grandbabies arrived, and they became the light of his world.
Richard was a hardworking, loyal man. He worked for Brewer Construction as a Foreman for many years, until his brief retirement in 2018, when he returned and worked as a heavy machine operator. Just this past February marked his 50th year working for Brewer Construction. He led many of his family members into this industry and more specifically to work for Brewer Construction.
Richard loved to spend his free time watching sports, and when I say sports, I mean OU or Dallas Cowboy Football. And if they were not on, any other OU team would do. And once the Thunder came to OKC, he was an automatic fan of theirs too. He also enjoyed a good boxing match and hosted many Pay-Per-View events at his home with the entire family there. He was a great cook, and could make the best tamales, tortillas, and BBQ ribs. He was also a bit of a gambling man, from parlays to football squares, to the casino & lottery scratchers, he was always down for a good bet—but you had better pay up, or he would call you a “welsher.” To the average person, he was a quiet and reserved guy, but to most of us he was low-key funny, could crack a sly joke. A few other things he enjoyed were sitcoms and comedies, most recently, he liked watching Young Sheldon and Last Man Standing, or Happy Gilmore or any other Adam Sandler movie. He also liked to listen to The Rolling Stones, Elvis, Cher, or any old Rock’n Roll song. I still remember him having us kids call KOMA to request his favorite songs.
As much as he loved OU football, that came second to the love and adoration he had for his children and grandchildren, especially his Melissa. Richard was a devoted father and grandfather. He absolutely loved spending time with his grandchildren. Some of their most precious times together was simply going to Braum’s for ice cream & fries. Antonio, Angelina, and Richie could do no wrong in their Papi’s eyes. He also had a special bond with his twin sister, Carol. Their families lived next door to each other for more than 40 years. As twins, they shared many lifetime milestones together. Uncle Richard or Uncle Rich to most of us, loved his many nieces and nephews, and treated each one of us as we were his favorites.
Our family thanks you all for attending. He will hold a special place in all our hearts until we see him again.
Visitation will be held from 1:00pm until 8:00pm, Thursday, March 23, at the John M. Ireland Funeral Home & Chapel of Capitol Hill, located at 3228 S Western Ave, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Funeral Services to celebrate his life will be held at 2:00pm, Friday, March 24, 2023, at South Lindsay Avenue Baptist Church, located at 3300 S. Lindsay Ave., in Oklahoma City. Services are under the direction of the John M. Ireland Funeral Home & Chapel.
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