Obituaries

Omar Richard Pullen of Hayward, CA, unexpectedly passed away on Sunday, October 15, 2017 at the age of 66. He valiantly battled multiple health conditions in the last year and a half while preparing to enjoy retirement with his family. Richard was born to Omar Earl and Kathleen Ann (née McCarten) Pullen on March 1, 1951 in Oakland, California. He grew up the eldest of their three sons and spent many afternoons sailing the bay, swimming the Russian River, and exploring Play land at the Beach in San Francisco After his parents passed at an early age, Richard enrolled at Sonoma State University to stay stateside during the Vietnam War, ensuring he could raise his younger brothers. He graduated with a bachelor of arts in psychology and promptly tucked the folded piece of paper in a box for his wife to find after many years of marriage. Richard had a long and varied career that spoke to his passion for mechanics and engineering and distaste for office confinement. He crafted artificial limbs, caught chickens on a poultry farm, repaired marine vessels as a member of the Marine Carpenters Union, built homes in Salinas, CA, and drove long-haul trucks throughout the country. Richard called coffee the oil of life, enjoyed beer so dark it put hair on your chest, and started every morning with his copy of the San Francisco Chronicle and a hearty breakfast. His DVR was full of Bay Area sports games – collegiate or professional – and was only surpassed in volume by his music collection. He couldn’t remember his anniversary but all it took was three bars to identify any song and musician. He was a walking encyclopedia of military transport vehicles and enjoyed many years at Fleet Week on Marina Green with his family. Richard was a devoted family man, and is survived by his wife Debra (née Morris) of Hayward, CA; daughter Natalie (née Pullen) Oren of Concord, CA; daughter Lindsey (née Pullen) Nadeau of Reston, VA; son-in-law’s Shai Oren and Craig Nadeau; grandchildren Micah and Aviva Oren of Concord, CA; brothers Laurence and Keith Pullen, and nephew Travis Pullen, as well as the many members of the Morris and Shah families. He is preceded in death by his parents and half-siblings. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and all who knew him. A celebration of life is scheduled for Saturday, October 21 at Fremont Memorial Chapel on Peralta Blvd. The service will start at noon and be followed immediately by a reception. The cremation will take place the following week and the family will hold a private scattering of ashes in the coming months. The family asks that in lieu of flowers a donation in Richard’s name be made to Amyloidosis Support Groups, 232 Orchard Drive, Wood Dale, and Illinois 60191.