Richard Zarate

He passed away peacefully at home on October 9th 2018 after a brave battle with Multiple Myeloma. He never complained and fought till the end. He was 71 years old.

Richard worked a variety of places and seemed to know everyone in the community. One of his first jobs was at Food Center in Merced. While living in Denair, he worked at Valley Distributor, where he also was a volunteer Fireman for the Denair Fire Dept. Moving back to Merced, He started selling Hondas for Valley Pontiac. Tired of suits and ties, Richard began using his artistic ability setting tile with his cousin Jerry Zarate, he also started working as a bartender at the Star Club. Later Richard started his own business, Zarate Enterprises, fixing anything from the roof down to the floor.

When Richard was still in grammar school his artistic abilities showed in his carpentry, he made several pieces of small furniture and while an adult he created a beautiful wall unit using only hand tools. Richard was also an avid water skier, heading to the Delta any chance he got; he loved the water, boating and loved to fish as well.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Eleanor; his infant sister, Gloria; his nephew, Ralph; his nieces, Kathy and Andrea; and his Boston Terrier, Rachel “Little Girl” Zarate.

Richard is survived by his beloved wife, Dawn Byrne Zarate; his loving daughter and son in law, Tina and Roy Craig of Brookings, Oregon; his step-daughters, Danielle Manzanedo and Lindsey Manzanedo of Merced; his granddaughter and her husband, Tiffany & Nate Lander and grandson, Matthew Craig, all of Brookings, Oregon; granddaughter, Annalise Ramos and grandson, Nathaniel Cortez; of Merced; and his great-granddaughter, Grace Marie Lander of Brookings, Oregon.

Richard is also survived by his brothers and sisters, Robert Zarate of Modesto; Charlie Zarate of Merced; Mary Duarte of Hilmar; Eleanor Reinero, of Merced; Juanita and her husband Randal Thrasher of Atwater; and Raymond Zarate of Planada. He is additionally survived by many nieces and nephews, their spouses and their children, too numerous to mention. Richard was loved so much and missed by all of his family and friends. A beautiful life gone too soon.

A celebration of life service will be held on Saturday, October 20, 2018 beginning at 2:00 p.m. at Stratford Evans Merced Funeral Home located at 1490 B Street Merced, California 95341.