Obituaries

Richard James Booker passed away on Friday, June 3, 2016, from Mesothelioma Cancer. He was born in Oakland on November 16, 1943, and graduated from Oakland Technical High School. He was a longtime resident of Fremont before moving to Riverbank in 2002. Richard is preceded in death by his son, Darren Booker. He is survived by his wife of nearly 34 years, Cheryl Booker, and mother Betty Neal, age 94, children Denise Rodriguez and Julie Mae Porter, grandchildren Bobbi Dewstone, Sammy Rodriguez, Alaina and Alexia Porter, Sienna and Capri Gavino, Kaylie, Ashlie, Ricky and Baylie Klitzing, great-grandson Antonio Dewstone, sister Sheri Taman and brother Bob Booker, and many loving nieces, nephews and cousins.

In 1966, during the Vietnam War, Richard was deployed as part of the U.S. Army’s 173rd Airborne Infantry Combat Unit, after which he worked as a union paint manufacturer for many years. He was well respected amongst his colleagues and developed lifelong friendships.

Richard loved music of almost any genre and he loved to sing, dance, and attend concerts. He also loved sports and was an avid fan of the Oakland A’s, Oakland Raiders and Warriors. He enjoyed camping, fishing, walking the dogs and spending time with his family, whom he loved dearly. Richard’s legacy will live on through his family’s and friends’ wonderful memories

Visitation will be held on Thursday, June 9th, from 10:30-11am and a Chapel Service will begin at 11am at Fremont Memorial Chapel, 3723 Peralta Blvd., Fremont, CA 94536. Burial will follow at Irvington Memorial Cemetery in Fremont, CA.