Tributes

Lupe “Richard” Arroyo was born the youngest of nine children on December 12, 1953 to father Ysidro Arroyo and mother Esperanza Arroyo. He grew up on the Westside of Fresno where he attended Madison School and Central High School. He often recounted his days as a wrestler for the high school wrestling team and during his senior year he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. There he trained for auto mechanics and received a medal for National Defense Service and a Rifle Sharpshooter Badge. On May 6, 1972, after returning to Fresno from Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, he married Yolanda Marie Arroyo. Upon completion of Richard’s military service, they returned to Fresno where they raised their four children, Lorraine, Yolanda, Richard and Anthony. Richard soon started to work as a truck driver for his brother and brothers-in-law, but left that line of work to be a carpenter, his true passion. He was a self-employed with all the knowledge and skillset to build a house. He loved to spend time helping his children, family, and friends with special remodeling projects around their homes. It brought him joy and happiness to see others enjoy his work and he loved to show off his work to others. He was always willing to help those he loved and always wanted to save them an extra buck. He was a hard-working individual and quitting was never an option, even up to his last day on earth. Richard brought joy and love to many lives. He loved his children and family and had a way about him, a presence, which made them listen, learn and enjoy his stories. He was a collector of many things and had many hobbies including playing chess and cards, and building models. Most of all, he loved teaching his sons the carpenter trade. He loved spending time with his family. He was full of life, always busy with projects and loved to laugh and prank people. Richard was a lively soul, funny and he loved to entertain. For those fortunate enough to know Richard, they'll remember how much he loved his family, friends, and pets and living every single day to the fullest. He was a steadfast man of uncommon courage and strength, who always showed his love of his family. He finished his journey on earth a confident, honorable Marine, a Hero and a Man. His bright light faded on March 18, 2019. It is a date which will be remembered in our hearts as the day our hero was sent to live another life in Heaven. He was preceded in death by his parents Ysidro and Esperanza Arroyo and his brothers and sisters Jose (Joe) and Robert (Bobby) Arroyo, Esperanza (Hope) Arroyo and Connie Cedillo. He leaves to cherish his memories his siblings Anita Munoz and her husband Arthur Munoz, Rosemary Landin and her husband Louie Landin, Alex Arroyo; his wife Yolanda M. Arroyo, his children Lorraine Arroyo with Derrick Davis, Yolanda Chapman and her husband Stanford (Rick) Chapman, Richard Arroyo and his wife Shanae Arroyo, Anthony Arroyo and his wife Kayla Arroyo; his eleven grandchildren Shawn Davis and his wife Destini Davis, Candace Whittle, Jordan Davis, Thaddius L. Williams, Kahlil Chapman, Brooklyn Chapman, Rikya Arroyo, Richard Arroyo, Uryah Arroyo, Kennedy Arroyo, and Kylie Carrizales; his six Great grandchildren Akeyleez Davis, Cali Ann Davis, Shawn Davis, Kovu Davis, Zanyah Spraggins, and Santana Spraggins; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, friends and acquaintances who will miss him dearly. Our father was a man who gave everything to his family and others and asked little in return. We cherish his love, his time with us and him being in a beautiful, loving place now with God. He is happy and we celebrate his life and spirit. He had a beautiful life and we are grateful to God for having him in our life. Acknowledgments The family of Richard Arroyo wishes to express their sincere appreciation and deepest gratitude for the many condolences, visits, prayers, and all other expressions of sympathy and concern shown during our hours of sorrow. Your kindness will be remembered. -The Family Poem I’m Free Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free, I’m following the path God laid for me, I took his hand when I heard him call, I turned my back, and left it all. I could not stay another day, To laugh, to love, to work or play, Tasks left undone must stay that way, I found that peace at the close of day. If my parting has left a void, Then fill it with remembering joy, A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss, Oh yes, these things I too will miss. Be not burdened with times of sorrow, My life’s been full, I’ve savored much, Good friends, good times, a loved one’s touch. Perhaps my time seemed all too brief, Don’t lengthen it now with undue grief, Lift up your hearts and share with me, God wanted me now, he set me free.

Tributes

Lupe Richard Arroyo

December 12, 1953 - March 18, 2019