Richard Carignan

Richard E. Carignan, 73, passed away surrounded by his loving family on Veterans Day, Monday, November 11, 2013. Richard was born in Fall River, Massachusetts to Lucien W. Carignan and Marie Rose Boyer on December 20, 1939. Richard met the love of his life Jong Wan Hwang and they married in Okinawa, Japan on November 28, 1973. Richard served in the United States Air Force for 21 years as a Boom Operator and retired as Master Sargent. A Vietnam Veteran, Richard served 5 tours during his extensive military career, spanning the United States, Korea, England, and Japan. During his career in the United States Air Force, he received numerous awards for his outstanding achievements. He was a member of the 909 Air Refueling Squadron and their motto was “Always There” and Richard lived this motto every day of his life.

Richard graduated from the University of Houston on December 16, 1989, with a BBA in Management. After his retirement from the United States Air Force, Richard worked for Mustang Security and Investigations where he retired as General Manager and Vice President. Richard loved to donate his time and resources to several religious, educational and political charities. He served seventeen years as a Catholic educator and Eucharistic Minister. He had a passion for golf and was an avid player of the sport for several years. He loved airplanes, as this was his area of expertise in the Military.

He is predeceased by his parents, Lucien W. Carignan and Marie R. Boyer. Richard is survived by his loving wife of 41 years, Jong W. Hwang; children: Marie M. Choi (Simon), Ann Marie Cover (Mark) and Jane L. Carignan; brothers and sisters: Jeanne Y. Cotta, Ronald R. Carignan, Annette R. Huettner, Robert L. Carignan, Jacqueline T. Page and Roger G. Carignan; grandchildren: Theresa T. Nguyen (Jake), William R. Cover (Shandi), Angela M. Cover, Julie A. Choi, Allen M. Cover (Laura), Jonathan M. Cover (Justine) and Brandie N. Offhaus; great-grandchildren, Andrew W. Nguyen, Alexander T. Nguyen, Trevor W. Cover, Micah N. Cover, Elijah M. Cover, Karissa J. Cover and Benjamin A. Cover.

A Rosary will be recited on Thursday, November 14, 2013 at 8:30 pm in the Chapel at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home, 13001 Katy Freeway, Houston, Texas 77079. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, November 15, 2013 at 10:00 am at St. Andrew Kim Catholic Church, 1706 Bingle Road, Houston, Texas 77092, with entombment to follow at Memorial Oaks Cemetery with full military honors.