Richard Santiano Holguin

I am an original Box car kid, on May 25, 1949 on Levit Street in Visalia .. Aka: Ricardo, Richard, son of Francisco and Marcelina Holguin, brother to the late Margaret Luna of Corcoran. Frank Holguin of Visalia, Eva Lasalde of Visalia, Henry Holguin of Porterville and surviving brother Manuel Holguin of Woodlake. I have enjoyed being part of an amazing large family of grandparents, Tio's and Tia's, and a whole lot of cousins. I later moved to my childhood home on Locust St. From there I walked to all of my schools where I attended Carrie Barnett, Webster, Crowley, Green Acres and I graduated a proud Blue and White Redwood Ranger class of 1967. I went to COS and majored in Criminology. In 1969 I Heard Uncle Sam calling my name and enlisted in the Army. Thanks to Uncle Sam I got to travel to Ft. Lewis Washington, Ft. Gordon in Mobile, Alabama. My MO was an MP with the "716 Toughest Cops in the World "where I was sent to Frankfurt Germany. I thought staring at trees and snow from a tower was a bit too cold so I asked to be transferred to Saigon, Vietnam till end of 1972. After being discharged from the Army I still wanted to stay in law enforcement and was hired by Tulare City Police Department. At this time in my life I got a new name "Tio". I had a great time being an uncle to ALL 20 of my nephews and nieces. In 1974 I transferred to Tulare County Sheriff Office as a deputy, I served in many areas: Patrol, STEP, Investigations, Violent Crimes and Narcotics. In 1978 I got another new name "husband" after marrying Debby Huff of Woodlake. My proudest name was now "Dad "to Melissa Vest of Fresno and Richard Ian Holguin from Visalia. Living in Woodlake I enjoyed coaching baseball and being the Voice of Woodlake announcing Pop Warner and Woodlake Tiger Football games for 26 years. Helping the Woodlake Police Department at Christmas time riding around in Santa's slay. The greatest title I was ever given and my all time favorite name is "Grampie".. they say you enjoy your grandkids and I sure have. I loved watching them grow hoping they would always stay little.. Jade Vest of Austin,Texas, Saige Vest of Fresno, Richard Ian Holguin, II, Addison Holguin, and Joaquin James Holguin all from Visalia, and one Great grandson Ty-Ty of Fresno. I have enjoyed my life. Now I would like to say "Thank You" to my Life long friends and my Sheriff office partners, and friendships and to all my bothers in the American Legion Post #785, and my Latino Peace Officers Association for all the time we spent volunteering together. I've never liked saying goodbye so I won't now.. we will see you later and talk about the good old days. Richard Holguin call sign: CMKpapa 716 and 40 Boy signing off 10-4. Rosary will be held 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM Friday, September 19th, 2025 at Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel, 127 E. Caldwell Ave., Visalia. Catholic Memorial services will be held 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM Friday, September 19th, 2025 at Holy Family Catholic Church, 1908 N. Court St., Visalla. Services have been entrusted to Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel. Memorial Tributes and condolences may be offered by logging onto www.salseranddillard.com.

Richard Santiano Holguin

May 25, 1949 - August 22, 2025