Raul Bravo

Raul Bravo, 96, of Ventura, passed away peacefully at home on December 12, 2025. He was born on January 7, 1929, in Santa Paula, California, the third of five children of Magdalena and Leopoldo Bravo.

As a boy, he worked many jobs including as a migrant farmworker locally and in the California Central Valley before joining the U.S. Army. He served from 1950–1952 during the Korean War, training as a medic in Germany and rising to the rank of sergeant.

After returning home, he attended barber school and spent more than 60 years serving the Oxnard community as a barber, where he gave many first haircuts to multiple generations—including his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He once cut the hair of César Chávez, who later mentioned Raul in a public speech.

A lifelong learner, Raul became a notary and a licensed Administrative Hearing and Medical Interpreter for the State of California, continuing his work in the medical community until age 87. He was known for his love of reading, his passion for geography and travel, and his dedication to helping others throughout his life.

Raul is survived by Alicia, his wife of 72 years, five children—Ricardo (Rachel), Ana (Alvaro Olmo), Alice Romero (Paul), Angelina (Humberto Flores, deceased), and Robert (Jackie); thirteen grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren; his sister Lupe Ortiz, half-siblings Margaret Cortez, Susan Taylor, Leopoldo Bravo Jr., and many nieces and nephews.

He will be remembered for his quick wit, warm sense of humor, caring heart, and deep love for his family.

Raul is predeceased by his parents Leopoldo and Magdalena, stepmother Carmen Bravo, sister Delores Ortiz, brothers Rodolfo and Ramiro Bravo and half-sister Mary Ruth “Cuca” Bravo.

The Bravo family would like to express our deep gratitude for the loving care provided by Maricela and Lorena Ceballos.

Services will be held at PEREZ FAMILY FUNERAL HOME-SANTA PAULA 738 E. Santa Paula St, Santa Paula, CA 93060, Friday December 19, 2025, from 10:00 to 11:00 am and Santa Paula Cemetery 380 Cemetery Rd, Santa Paula, CA 93060, Friday December 19, 2025, at 11:30 am