Memorial for Alfredo Castillo
|
Born in Bonita, CA on Jul. 26, 1926
Departed on Jul. 22, 2018 and resided in Pasco, WA.
|
|
|
|
  |
Alfredo Castillo, 91, of Pasco, Washington passed away at home on July 22, 2018. He was born in Bonita, California to Jesse Muñoz and Domingo Castillo. Al was raised in National City, California and this is where he joined the United States Navy at age 15 by using his sister’s birth certificate. Al retired from the Navy as a Chief Yeoman in 1962. He then signed on with the Military Sea Transportation Services as a Purser with the rank of Lieutenant. He was very well traveled and picked up languages very easily at the many ports he visited. He especially enjoyed his travels in the Far East, namely Hong Kong and the rest of China. It was during these years that he acquired his love for travel and respect for other people, cultures, and languages.
During his sailing years, he decided he wanted to become a teacher, so he resigned from his civil services position as Chief Purser and started his higher education at Diablo Valley College in California. Al graduated from the University of the Americas in Puebla, Mexico with a BA/ED. Al received his master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from Central Washington University. Al enjoyed many accomplishments and successes during his career in education. One of the highlights was being selected as the Washington State Exchange Teacher to Japan. He was very proud to have his family go with him. Al retired from the Kennewick School District as a teacher counselor.
Al had many interest and careers besides the military and teaching. He was the staff photographer for The Press newspaper in Honolulu, where he met and photographed Kirk Douglas, John Wayne, Patricia Neal, state politicians, and top military officials.
He was also a respected and much requested wedding photographer. He was an avid fisherman, avid golfer, avid reader, New York Times crossword puzzle enthusiast, and a talented and gifted artist. A proud accomplishment was getting a hole in one on the 8th hole at Pasco Golfland. Al loved to fish, loved to travel, and loved his chocolate.
Al was preceded in death by his parents, stepfather, Alfred Landers, and older brother, Tom. Al is survived by his wife, Radell, daughters Alicia (Tony) Hansen and Jessica Castillo, grandsons Michael and Raphael, sister Carrie Humphrey, two brothers, Edward and Richard, and numerous nieces and nephews.
To honor Al’s life and dedication to our country he will be buried at sea with full military honors. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to:
Chaplaincy Hospice Healthcare
1480 Fowler St
Richland WA 99352
American Legion Post 34
1029 W Sylvester St
Pasco WA 99301
VFW - Cook Erickson Post 7952
1369 George Washington Way
Richland WA 99352
Donations may also be made to any other military organization of your choice.
Our family would like to express our thanks and gratitude to the Hospice staff for guiding us on this journey with such compassion, dignity, and grace.
|
| |
|
|
|
