Richard J Contreras

Richard J Contreras was born October 15, 1940, in Houston, Texas, to Evelina Herrera and Antonio Contreras, and died on July 23, 2025, in Deer Park, Texas. He grew up in the two cities of Houston and New Orleans. His childhood was not easy, but he left it with true, deep friendships that lasted many decades.  In 1957, Richard enlisted in the Air Force when he was only 17 years old.  He became a loadmaster on C130 Hercules airplanes, mammoth military transport aircraft.  From his career with C130s, Richard was widely-travelled and familiar with many parts of the world. 

Ric retired from the US Air Force in 1979 as a Master Sergeant after a tour of duty at the beautiful Clark Air Force Base in Angeles City, Philippine Islands. He went to work for Lockheed Aircraft in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where his children had the privilege of a cosmopolitan education.  He later worked for several federal agencies.  After retirement as a federal employee, he pursued his education, obtaining an undergraduate degree in Psychology, and a master’s degree in Education.  Mr. Contreras loved to teach.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents and by his older sister, Antoinette.  He is survived by his beloved younger sister, Shirley Montalvo Labrano of Chalmette, Louisiana. Richard is also grieved by his children:  daughter Sheila (Salah), of Lansing, Michigan, and his sons, Mario (Amy) of Fremont, California, and Jason (Joy) of Brawley, California.  The grandchildren who knew Richard as Guelito will feel his absence deeply: Noor, Paz, Abbie, Katrin, Kassidy, Blake, Jude, Eric and Addie. 

We wish to thank the nurses, aides and caregivers whose daily acts of compassion created a space of calm comfort for Richard, who was blessed by this care.   Their kindnesses will never be forgotten, and remain a source of inspiration. Thank you especially to Michelle Landers, his treasured niece and hospice nurse.  

Ric was distinguished by his strength of presence to the end of his days. Regularly during these last months, nurses and caregivers commented to his daughter on Ric’s fierce will and indominitable spirit. Richard was alert, highly sensitive, intellectually inquisitive, always thinking, and he remained so.  

Years ago, probably in the 1960s, when Ric was a very young man, a fellow G.I. drew a caricature of Richard riding a bucking C130 airplane.  Ric is tricked out like a Mexican bandito, wearing a double bandolier,  very large bigote and giant sombrero. In one hand, he shoots a pistol into the air. In the other, he holds the reins of the bucking, snorting C130 bronco. 

Ric Contreras was a real loadmaster. He always said he wanted to be buried with other soldiers because they talk to each other at night.  He is going to have a blast, riding that bucking C130 all throughout Houston National. 

Richard Joseph Contreras will be laid to rest with military honors at Houston National Cemetery on August 6, 2025 at 1:15 PM. There will be a short viewing at 11:00 am CST prior to the burial at Deer Park Funeral Directors, 335 E. San Augustine St., Deer Park, Texas, 77536, where those in the area who wish to do so may pay their final respects.

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