Richard Anton Figueroa

Richard was born August 31st, 1953, in Munich Germany. He entered the Air Force at age 20 and served for 20 years. His squadron in the United States Air Force was the 435th Organizational Maintenance Squadron - Enroute Maintenance Section, a squadron that would lead to lifelong friendships. After his retirement from the Air Force, he began to work for UPS Air District KSDF Louisville, Kentucky. He was at UPS for twenty-two years and helped load numerous jets in his time there. Here too, Richard made deep friendships that would carry with him through retirement. He would later credit his time in the USAF for helping mold him to achieve all his accomplishments and goals in life. He married Verneal "Bernie" Smith in 1979, though they later divorced, they were blessed with two boys, Anton "Tony" Duane on September 18th, 1979 and Richardt "Ricky" Glenn on July 25th, 1983.

While Richard was extremely proud of his time in the Air Force, he was most proud of his two sons, Tony, and Ricky. His sons speak fondly about various trips they would take growing up, reflecting on how those experiences impacted them in ways they did not fully realize at the time. While their friends were watching the latest movie, the Figueroa boys were seeing sights like the Grand Canyon and exploring other landmarks in America.

Richard had many hobbies. He was an amateur photographer, going on what he called "photo recons" often. The beauty of his engagement with photography was the backstory he always inserted into each of these recon trips. Richard also loved cars and generally anything mechanical. He was great with tools, cars, and projects of all kinds. Mostly those that loved him are going to remember him for the joy he carried through life and his sense of humor. The desire to live and see things and do.

He is survived by his sons Anton Figueroa, daughter-in-law Brooklyn Figueora of Walburg, TX; Richardt Figueroa, daughter-in-law Patricia Figueroa of Anchorage, Alaska; one sister, Ingrid Wilkerson of Lothian, MD; ex-wife Bernice Rodgers of Missouri and nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Julio Figueroa and Susanna Gauer Lile.

The service will be Tuesday June 4th at 10:30 a.m. at Kentucky Veterans Cemetery.

There will be a celebration of life at 2:30pm to 5:30pm on June 4th at the American Legion Hardin Post 113, 1251 Ring Road, Elizabethtown, KY (270-737-9949).