Raul R. Duran, CMSgt, USAF Retired – July 20, 1938 – March 4, 2016
Raul R. Duran was born, Geronimo Raul Duran in La Union, New Mexico on July 20, 1938 to Rosa Villa and Reyes Ramirez. When he was 5 or 6 years old, he, his immediate family and numerous members of his extended family made their way west and settled in the Di Giorgio/Arvin/Lamont, California area.
Raul went on to attend Arvin High School where he become an outstanding athlete, earning himself 12 varsity letters in basketball, baseball and football. It was at Arvin High School where he eventually met his high school sweetheart and future wife Anita Rey. After Raul and Anita graduated from Arvin High School in 1956 they enrolled and attended Bakersfield Junior College together until Raul enrolled in the Air Force in 1958 as a graphic illustrator. After completing basic training Raul was stationed at Barksdale A.F.B in Bossier City, Louisiana.
On December 27, 1959, during one of Raul’s trips home, he and Anita got married in Arvin, Ca. The Newlyweds returned to Barksdale A. F.B. where Raul continued to rise up through the Non Commission Officer ranks, gaining a stripe with every child, Tricia in 1960, Tessie in 1962 and Roxanne in 1963. In 1964 Raul was transferred to Anderson A.F.B. in Guam where he continued his Air Force career as a graphic illustrator. In 1966 Raul was transferred to Offutt A.F.B in Omaha, Nebraska where he got two more stripes attaining the rank of Tech SGT, and two more kids. Debbie in 1967 and Raul in 1968.
In 1970 Raul was transferred to Davis Monthan A.F.B in Tucson, Arizona and in 1971 he served temporary duty for one year at Ton Sa Nhut Air Base, in Vietnam. Upon his return to the states Raul was again transferred, this time to Kirtland A.F.B. in Albuquerque, New Mexico. While serving at Kirtland, Raul became a Master SGT and later Chief Master SGT, which is the highest rank that a Non Commission officer can attain. Also while stationed at Kirtland, Raul became the first Senior Enlisted Advisor for the Weapons Lab.
In 1978, Raul was transferred overseas to Clark Air Base in the Philippines where he continued to serve as Senior Enlisted Advisor for the Audio Visual Squadron. In 1980 Raul and his family returned stateside where Raul would eventually retire in July 1987 and complete his 30 years of military service at Norton A. F. B. in San Bernardino, California.
July 20, 1938 – March 4, 2016
Retirement for Raul was only from the Air Force as he continued to serve as a Civilian for the Audio Visual Department at March Air Force Base. Upon the closure of March, he and Anita moved to San Antonio Texas where he finished out his Civil Service and finally completely retired from the work force in 2000. Between his Air Force enlistment and Civil Service work, Raul diligently and proudly dedicated a total of 42 years to his country.
After fully retiring, and returning to San Bernardino, CA, Raul did not remain idle. As an avid sports fan and athlete, he continued to enjoy and participate in bowling, racquetball, softball and tennis as much as he could. Golf, however became a very large part of his weekly and sometimes daily routine.
Nevertheless, more so than golf, his family was his focus. Whenever one of his five children called upon him for help with anything, he was there. Additionally, he and his wife Anita made every effort to attend the countless events his grandchildren were involved in.
Softball, baseball, soccer, volleyball, swimming, track, music concerts, plays, recitals, award ceremonies……. you name it and they were in attendance.
Raul and Anita celebrated their 56th wedding anniversary in December of 2015. He enjoyed camping, bar-b-ques, and going to Las Vegas. But mostly he enjoyed spending time with his wife and family.
He goes to join his daughter Tessie Duran Bonnell and leaves behind his wife, Anita Duran, his son, daughters and their spouses, Tricia Duran, Roxanne & Ronald Galarza, Debbie & Ed Muniz and Raul & Irma Duran, his 11 grandchildren, Anthony, Kristopher, Jovi, Brittany, Toni, Crysta, Brianna, Alyssa, Daniel, Shelby and Lucy, and his three great grandchildren, Nicholas, Evalinda and Jonathan.
Sign his guestbook at the link below.
A few photos from his services – Photos by Frank Urban.
