Ricardo Celestino Herrejon, (93) of Santa Paula, California, proceeded in death by his wife
Maria Del Carmen Herrejon on December 25, 2023 surrounded by his family. Ricardo was born
to Emerenciano Herrejon and Sabina Martinez on May 19, 1930, in Las Canoas, Municipio de
Copandaro, Michoacan, Mexico.
"Don Ricardo" as known to many, immigrated to the United States in his mid 20's as a "Bracero"
farmworker. While working as a farmworker he became a member of the United Farmworker's
Union in the early 1980's. He worked as a farmworker for about 40 years. He never hesitated to
lend a helping hand to those in need, he had a very big and generous heart with everyone. He
always made sure his family was well-fed and cared for. After retiring, he dedicated his
remaining time to his family.
As a young man he enjoyed swimming, playing basketball with his cousins, and loved to bake
bread. But most of all he loved listening to music, weekend barbecue's, and spending time with
his family. He was known to his family and friends for always having a joking personality with
his grown children, and always made silly faces and being playful with his grandchildren, and at
the nursing home where he spent the last few years of his life he always said or did something to
entertain the nurses and staff. He had a great ability to make others smile, through jokes,
dancing or just his bold statements he made and his sense of humor will be missed.
Despite his sometimes gruff exterior, he had a deep love for his family and expressed it through
his actions rather than his words. He believed that hard work and perseverance were the keys to
success, and he instilled these values in all of his children and grandchildren. Don Ricard was a
very humble soul.
He is survived by his 11 children, Javier, Teresa, Adelina, David, Abdulia, Magdalena, Ricardo
Jr., Maria Elena, Angelica, Alfredo and Veronica, 30 grandchildren and 40 plus
greatgrandchildren.