Richard Anthony Villarreal

Richard Anthony Villarreal passed away peacefully on November 2, 2024, surrounded by his loving wife of 39 years, Gabriela (Gaby), as well as with their two daughters, Alyssa and Daniella in San Antonio, Texas. He is preceded in death by his parents, Rodolfo (Rudy) A. Villarreal and Perla (Pearl) I. Villarreal, and was born in Brownsville, Texas on March 10, 1964. He lived a life rooted in faith, service, and love, leaving an inevitable mark on all who knew him.

Richard is survived by his loving wife, Gaby, and their two daughters, Alyssa and Daniella. He is also survived by brother, Rudy (Mary) Villarreal, and sisters, Norma (Robert) Guerra, Cindy Schoenmakers, Bonnie (Rick) Garcia, Becky (David) Rendon, and countless family members.

Richard enlisted in the U.S. Navy a week after graduating high school in 1982. After 27 years of service as an Aviation Boatswains Mate (ABE), he retired as a Senior Chief Petty Officer. He was also a member of the ABMA Association. Richard loved everything about being on the flight deck of an aircraft carrier. From catapults and arresting gear, the adrenaline of launching aircraft was his passion. He loved the Navy and was always proud to wear the title of Sailor, followed by Veteran. To say he bled red, white, and blue is an understatement.

During his 27 years of military service, he served on the USS America CVA-66, USS Theodore Roosevelt CVN-71, at Helicopter Squadron Helmineron-12 & USS Dwight D. Eisenhower CVN-69, all located in Norfolk, VA. Within 11 months, Richard received various orders that landed him at Naval Station Great Lakes, IL and at NATTC Pensacola as an Instructor, leading him to earn his MBA. Shortly after, Richard received orders to serve on board the USS Kitty Hawk CV-63 in Yokosuka, Japan, and at NAF Misawa Air Base. After returning to the United States from Japan, he then retired from the USS Abraham Lincoln in Everett, WA in 2009.

Richard was a proud recipient of many medals and accolades he earned during his time of service in the United States Navy. He participated in support of the Persian Gulf War, Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, as well as Operation Enduring Freedom & Operation Iraqi Freedom and more. Serving his country was everything to him.

Following his military career, Richard went to work as a Department of the Navy contractor with General Atomics, HII-AMSEC, SAIC, ProActive Technologies, and lastly as a Survivability Engineer with CACI. He had a love for teaching and being a Subject Matter Expert (SME) on the Electromagnetic Aircraft System (EMALS).

Richard married Gaby on an unusually freezing day on January 12, 1985. They welcomed their first daughter, Alyssa Brianna, in Chesapeake, VA in June 1994. Daniella Kristina was born four years later in Virginia Beach, VA in September 1998. Richard was a girl dad through and through and mastered the art of combing the girls’ hair to look somewhat decent. When he wasn’t deployed, he was attending all events for his girls, cheering them on, next to his wife, Gaby. Whether it was cheerleading, t-ball, soccer, swimming, or water polo, Richard and Gaby were the loudest and proudest parents. His wife and daughters were his pride and joy.

Richard enjoyed all sports including playing golf not only with his buddies, but with his family and having golf cart races. He loved traveling with his wife Gaby, going to rock concerts with his daughter Alyssa, and going to Texas A&M Football games with his daughter Daniella (Gig ‘em!).

Gaby, Alyssa, and Daniella wish to express their appreciation to their friends and family for supporting them during an excruciatingly difficult time. A special thanks goes to the medical teams at SAMMC and Hope Hospice for the exceptional care and support given not only to Richard, but to his family.

In his memory, donations can be made on his behalf to the Folds of Honor Organization or the Wounded Warrior Project.

“Fair Winds and Following Seas. We have the Watch.”

MEMORIAL ROSARY9:30 AMTHURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2024ST. MARK THE EVANGELIST1602 THOUSAND OAKS DR., SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS 78232

MEMORIAL MASS10:00 AMTHURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2024ST. MARK THE EVANGELIST1602 THOUSAND OAKS DR., SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS 78232

Interment with military honors will follow in Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery. A reception and celebration of life will be held at St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church immediately following the burial.