Richard Patrick Holgin

Richard Patrick Holgin was born in Houston, Texas, on March 17, 1933, to Alex and Consuelo Holgin. His older siblings, now deceased, were Alex and Julia. Richard loved school, being a teen entrepreneur and playing his saxophone. He not only played in his high school marching band but also in the Marine Corp band. His uncle, Rudy Espinoza, encouraged him to join the Marine Reserves. By 1950, Richard, at 17 years of age, participated in the Pusan Landing in Korea. He was a proud survivor of the legendary Chosin Reservoir Campaign, Nov-Dec 1950.

Richard returned to Houston in 1955, as a young, 22-year-old Purple Heart veteran. In 1957, he married Blanche Moreno and they raised 6 children: Pam, Rick, Ginger, Consuelo, Risa and Christopher. In the 1970s, he was very proud to have developed and then served at the first President of Del Sol Federal Savings and Loan Association, the first Mexican America-owned and managed S&LA. After graduating from the University of Houston in 1979, he enjoyed a highly successful career in personnel and business management, especially his years with the University of Houston and Ninfa’s Restaurant Corporation. During his many years in Houston, Richard was a respected community leader and advocate for social justice.

After retirement, Richard moved to San Antonio and married Yolanda Santos in 2002. Together for the next 15 years, they became world travelers. He also made time to give back to the community. In 2005, Mayor Julian Castro appointed Richard to serve on the City Commission for Veterans Affairs. He served from 2005-2012. During those years, he was committed to attending the funerals of homeless vets.

Surviving the Chosin Reservoir Campaign deeply influenced his life. Both in Houston and San Antonio, he was a founding member of the Chosin Few Association Chapters. He served on the National Chosin Few Board from 2010-2012. Serving as National President in 2010.

As Richard’s health declined over the past few years, he was blessed to receive compassionate care from Maria E. Hernandez, Nicki Hicks, the medical team from Heart of Texas Hospice, Gil Cortez and Sergio DeLuna Hernandez with Casa de Amor and loving, supportive visits from family friend Star Echterhoft. Chaplin James Butler with Heart of Texas Hospice offered Richard spiritual support. Deepest gratitude to each of these special persons.

Richard returned to his heavenly home at 10pm on Thursday, February 13, 2025 at the age of 91.

Please no flowers … they can’t be transported to Houston

Option: consider donating to Richard’s favorite organization:

Marine Military Academy

320 Iwo Jima Blvd

Harlingen, Texas 78550

mma-tx.org/donate

TO HEAR RICHARD IN HIS OWN WORDS, SPEAK ABOUT HIS CHOSIN RESERVOIR CAMPAIGN EXPERIENCE, GOOGLE: Chosin – Richard Holgin

A visitation for Richard will be held Friday, February 21, 2025 from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Funeraria del Angel Roy Akers, 515 N Main Avenue, San Antonio, Texas 78205, followed by a prayer service at 4:30 PM.