Ricardo Franco

Ricardo Franco, age 86, passed away on Sunday, April 2, 2017 at his home in San Antonio. He was born in San Antonio, Texas on September 4, 1930 to Jose and Agustina Escareno Franco. He was preceded in death by his parents; and siblings, Jose Franco, Concepcion Tijerina, Maria Arce, Angela Gonzales, Matilde Franco, Juanita Franco, George Franco, Raul Franco, Enrique Franco, and Carlos Franco. Mr. Franco is survived by his son, Richard T. Franco; daughter, Cynthia F. Cordova; grandson, Carlos F. Cordova; great grandson, Chase Cordova; sisters, Dolores Taylor, Esther Maldonado, and Carmen Mata. Mr. Franco enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1948 where he served as a Medical Specialist. His awards and honors include: the Army Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal 3rd award, Army Occupation Medal (Japan), National Defense Service Medal with 1 Oak leaf cluster, Vietnam Service Medal, Korean Service Medal with 5 Bronze stars, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, Meritorious Unit Citation, Combat Medical Badge, and the Marksmanship Badge (M-14). He retired in 1968 at the rank of Staff Sergeant. After his Army career, he continued his education at San Antonio College where he received his Registered Nursing License in 1971. He also attended the University of Texas School of nursing where he received his Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1975. He continued on to Southwest Texas State University (now, Texas State University) and received a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Education in 1979. In addition to his continuing education, he practiced nursing at Santa Rosa Children's Hospital, Bexar County Hospital (now, University Hospital), the VA Hospital, Metropolitan Methodist Hospital, Brooke Army Medical Center and the State Chest Hospital where he later retired. The family will receive friends at 6:00 p.m., Wednesday, April 12, 2017, at Porter Loring Mortuary. ROSARY WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12, 2017 7:00 P.M. PORTER LORING MORTUARY LITURGY OF THE HOLY WORD THURSDAY, APRIL 13, 2017 10:00 A.M. HOLY NAME CATHOLIC CHURCH 3814 NASH BLVD Father Martin Parayno will officiate. Interment with Military Honors will follow in Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Mr. Franco's favorite charitable organizations, the local St. Jude Children's Hospital and/or Cal Farley's Boys Ranch.