MORENO, Richard “Sonny” P., Jr.
Kalamazoo
Age 57, passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, February 8, 2023, with his family at his side.

Richard P. Moreno, Jr. was a man who believed in living every day to the fullest. He was born on October 22, 1965, the oldest of four children to the late Paz Marie (Polanco) and Richard “Dickie” Moreno, Sr., in Austin, Texas. He spoke often and fondly of his young life and the many escapades of his early youth with his younger brother, Roland and his uncles and aunts, who were like brothers and sisters to him. They spent many a happy Saturday afternoon at the movies, hopping from one movie to the next.

On June 24, 1995, he married the love of his life, Carol Sue DeKoekkoek in Kalamazoo, Michigan and they spent 27 wonderful years together. He was a natural born salesman and loved the challenge of a good sale, as most of his jobs reflected.

In addition to their only daughter Andrea, they were never without god-children, nieces and nephews, and later grandchildren, ready to step in and enjoy the fun he was always dreaming up.

Sonny loved Jesus first and foremost and second to that, his wife, family, friends and his multiple dogs. He loved fishing, baseball, fishing, photography, camping, fishing, traveling, football, and fishing. Some of his youngest memories of family vacations are fishing all night long with his family on the Corpus Christi piers. A tradition he carried on with his own family and friends, as often as he could manage it.

He was charming and handsome and to prove it, in the 10th grade he received the award for most handsome. He was smart, tough and loyal with a huge personality that drew people in and made them want to be his friend. He was a great husband, dad, brother, uncle, grandpa, cousin and friend and loved whole heartedly and fiercely. He was larger than life and this world has lost some of its sparkle with his loss.

Besides his wife, Sonny is survived by their daughter, Andrea Marie Moreno; grandchildren, Alijah, Aaliyah and Alli; siblings, Roland (Kari) Moreno, Michelle (Peter) Fontaine, and Rodney Moreno; in-laws, Doug (Joan) DeKoekkoek, Steve (Sue) DeKoekkoek and Jim (Vanessa) DeKoekkoek; as well as three god-children and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service to celebrate Sonny’s life will take place at Spring Valley Church, 5240 Mount Olivet Rd., Kalamazoo, MI 49004, with Pastor Kyle Wartella officiating, on Friday, March 3, 2023 at 1:00 PM. Visitation will be held at the church on March 2, 2023, from 5:00-8:00 PM. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.