Ralph Paul Madero

Ralph Paul Madero was born on 26 February 1932 in San Diego, California to Lolita Scot and Manuel Madero. He had three sisters. He attended San Diego Union Academy and went on to San Diego State University. Just as he completed his second year at the University, he received his draft notice. Ralph served in the United States Air Force for 21 years and stayed in aviation for his entire working life.

Lt. Colonel Ralph Madero flew the F-86 fighter chasing Soviet Mig fighters along the Yalu River in North Korea and in the Soviet Kuril Island Straits east of Japan. He was a senior officer in MedEvac, flying from Canada to Mexico and throughout Europe and North Africa from Casablanca to the Shetland Island off North Scotland. He flew Berlin Corridors lifeline to the city under siege and flew numerous combat sorties, supporting the Army Special Forces/ Green Berets and also evacuated villages overrun by Viet Cong in Vietnam. He was a senior Human Factor Engineer, updating controls and displays for future military aircraft. He was an Airfield Manager/ Air Traffic Control Specialist at the Ohio’s Wright Patterson Air Base for 12 Years. He was appointed Administrative Assistant of his beloved Seventh Day Adventist Church in Visalia. In peace and in war he was my Hero. Thank you, Ralph.

He was married to Lucia Burnett until her death. They had three boys who all live in Ohio. David (Mary), Edwyn, and Michael (Sharron) He is survived by his wife of 25 years Vivian Wahlen Madero and her children Alison and John Wahlen.

Ralph passed away in his sleep on 23 September 2025.

Services will be held on: Saturday, October 11, 2025 at 04:00pm in the afternoon at the Seventh Day Adventist Church located at 1310 South Woodland Street in Visalia. Followed by light refreshments.