Ricardo T. Castanuela
Ricardo T. Castanuela was born in Rock Springs, Texas, in 1930, to Jesus Castanuela and Josephina Castanuela. He grew up in Melvin, Texas, where he attended segregated schools and had to leave school early to help support the family. At the age of 18, he enlisted in the United States Army, was attached to an ordinance company and deployed to Korea. Ricardo remained in the ready reserves and in 1954 reenlisted in the United States Air Force where he was attached to the Strategic Air Command with the Military Security Police. His duty stations included France, Germany, Missouri, Oregon, New Mexico and Texas.
In 1968, Ricardo was deployed to Cam Rahn Bay, Vietnam. He was a combat veteran of both Korea and Vietnam, and was awarded a Bronze Star, Korean Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, national Defense Medal with two Oak Leaves and three Air Force Accommodation Medals over his twenty-year military career. Ricardo met and married, the love of his life, Judith, while both were serving in the Air Force.
After retiring from the military, Ricardo joined the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Department. He earned his Associates Degree in Law Enforcement and became a Texas Certified Peace Officer. During his 20-year career, he worked his way through the ranks, from floor officer to the rank of Major. Ricardo retired as the first Hispanic Warden of the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Department.
The next 30 years were spent living in the community of Cross Plains, Texas, where he enjoyed the country way with his bride of 64 years. He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Coleman, Texas, and served as a Eucharist Minister. He and his wife moved to North Richland Hills, Texas, in 2022 to be closer to their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Ricardo’s dedication to his country, community, and faith have been an inspiration and example to his family and all that knew him. Even though age took his sight and strength, he still stood for the national anthem, knelt to pray, loved his God and family, and truly believed that this county afforded All the opportunity to choose their path.
Ricardo was preceded in death by his father, Jesus Castanuela; mother, Josephina Castanuela; infant brother, Juan; brothers: Juan Antonio and Jessie and wife, Maggie; sisters: Minerva Perez and husband, Roger, and Elisa Sandoval; brothers-in-law: Gale Parcel, John Parcel and Alberto Rodriguez; sisters-in-law: Janice Ann Parcel and Faye Parcel Lassiter.
Ricardo is survived by his loving wife, Judith Parcel Castanuela; son, Ricardo Castanuela and wife, Randi; daughter, Yolanda Sanders and husband, Mike, and son, Ramon Castanuela; grandchildren: Tyler and husband, Derick Cosper, Madison Majecki and husband, Nick, Joseph Sanders and wife, Whitney, Joshua Sanders and wife, Rachael, Matthew Sanders and wife, Alexis; step-grandchildren: Kristi Jenkins and Michael Sanders Jr.; great-grandchildren: Hadleigh, Chandler, Whitley, Ella, Rowan, Van, Ivy, Bonnie, Leo, Silas and the anticipated arrival of baby Jax; surviving brothers: Ernesto and JP, Alex and wife, Linda, Sam and wife, Mary, Roger and wife, Marilyn, Ramiro and wife, Nancy, Ruben and wife, Maria, and Manuel Castanuela; sisters: Celia and husband, Daniel Fernandez, Delia and husband, Ruben Ramon, Ester Flores, Irma Rodriquez; sisters-in-law: Sherry Parcel and Mary Parcel Schultz and husband, Kenton; and over 80 nieces, nephews and several God-children.
(Pulaski County Journal — March 6, 2024)