Richard Guerrero Sr., age 73, left this life peacefully on Saturday, May 30, 2026, several days after he was found unresponsive at home. A lifelong Corpus Christi resident, Richard was born on July 10, 1952, and was the son of Adela Guerrero.

From an early age, Richard learned the value of hard work. He began shining shoes in downtown Corpus Christi before the age of 10 to help his mother make ends meet and worked as a cotton picker in neighboring states as a young teenager. In high school, he met the woman who would be by his side for the last 57 years of his life: Mary Alice Saldana.

Looking to build a future for himself and his beloved partner, Richard enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1969. The couple married in Corpus Christi on Dec. 19, 1969, shortly before Richard was sent to Baumholder, Germany U.S. Army post, near Ramstein Air Base.

Following his enlistment in active duty, Richard served an additional 16 years with the U.S. Army Reserve as a sergeant. He worked for a time as an employee of the City of Corpus Christi and as a welder before landing a position with the Corpus Christi Army Depot (CCAD) in 1980. He medically retired from CCAD in 2004.

Richard and Mary Alice raised three sons: Richard Jr., 55, and Roland, 47, both of Corpus Christi, and Roger, 54, of Austin. Together, the family enjoyed a rich life of hard work, memorable family vacations, sporting activities, and in later years, supporting Roger’s business venture, TFC Rehearsal Studios. Richard was a lifelong Dallas Cowboys fan and his support never wavered; he made trips to watch the Cowboys practice during training camp and play in NFL games in the ‘90s.

The later years of Richard’s life were marked by a host of medical challenges that included diabetes, two strokes, and a double bypass surgery. A fighter through and through, Richard always found the strength to bounce back with the help and support of Mary Alice, his care provider, advocate, cook and driver, as well as his family.

Although he required the use of a wheelchair the last few years of his life, Richard still managed to enjoy trips to Austin, San Antonio and especially, Las Vegas, where he enjoyed concerts by The Eagles and Lionel Richie as well as NFL Football’s Las Vegas Raiders. A spiritual man, Richard attended Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in the ‘80s and ‘90s. He clung tightly to his faith as his health began to decline and found it to be a source of great comfort in difficult times.

Richard is preceded in death by his mother Adela Guerrero; his brother Jesse Garcia Sr., grandfather Nicolas Guerrero and his first grandchild, Hannah Paige Guerrero.

Richard is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Mary Alice; his sister Mary Ann Benavides; his sons and numerous grandchildren: Marcos Guerrero, Daysha Guerrero, Amelia Guerrero, Jacob Guerrero, Anissa Salas and Seve Salas; and numerous nieces and nephews, as well as extended family.

Visitation will be held from 3pm to 7pm on Thursday, June 4, 2026, at Guardian Funeral Home.