Richard Freitas

1938 - 2021

Richard Joseph Freitas Sr.

1938 - 2021

Our loving Dad, Richard Joseph Freitas Sr, passed away in his sleep on Monday morning, December 20, 2021. He was born January 30, 1938 in Santa Maria California to George and Hedwig Freitas. He attended Bonita School and Santa Maria High School.

After high school, Richard joined the Navy, and was on the USS Henry W Tucker, from which he was most proud of. Upon marrying Sharon, the mother of his 5 children, Richard worked many different jobs; from working at the local dairy's, to becoming a mason in which he helped build St. Louis de Montfort church. His most noted employment was being self employed for 50 years as a tractor mechanic & welder for the local farms.

He taught his sons to weld and learn mechanics at an early age and they have all gone on to use these skills in their occupations.

Richard raised his children at the Beach, every weekend riding a self-built dune buggy along with a 1963 Willeys Jeep which was referred to as Silver Thunder.

Silver Thunder won best in Class for many years as a mud Bogger Jeep. He competed in competitions from Santa Maria to Arizona, and to Las Vegas.

Richard was a lifetime member of Harley Davidson, and often would go on long Harley rides with his local chapter. He also was a long time member of the Elks, where he loved to help at the Rodeo grounds. He was the type of person who was always trying to figure out how to make things work with the materials he had on hand. He was the light of many lives and will be greatly missed in the community.

He is survived by his 5 children: Chandra Freitas-Lauer (husband Bill), Andrea Freitas-Meza (husband Leo), Rich Freitas Jr, Dennis Freitas , and Kevin Freitas.

His grandchildren include: Ashlyn Sutton, Bobby Adams, Heather Dumouchel, Clayton Freitas, Jenna Freitas, DJ Freitas, Travis Meza, Trevor Meza, Natalie Freitas, Chase Freitas. He has 7 great-grandchildren.

He enjoyed being active in his grandchildren's lives.

Also his surviving siblings: Donald Freitas, Bill Freitas, John Freitas, Mary Jane Freitas-Serpa, George Freitas Jr., and Gina Pace.

He is survived by his past marriages to Sharon and Glenice.

Graveside services will be at noon (a time of the day he enjoyed most) on Wednesday, December 29, 2021 at Santa Maria Cemetery. Richard will be buried with his father, as he had wished. Richard's Celebration of Life is to be scheduled at a later date.

Arrangements are in the care of Magner-Maloney Funeral Home and Crematory. Sympathy notes and words of support may be expressed at www.magnermaloney.com.