Richard Leonard Hazelwood March 21, 1945 - September 28, 2025

Richard Leonard Hazelwood, 80 years, 6 months, and 7 days old was born in Ross, California.  He passed away on Sunday, September 28, 2025, at home surrounded by his wife and three children in Turlock, California.

Richard graduated from San Leandro High School in 1963, after which time he joined the United State Marine Corps. from 1963-1966.  He was in the first marine division with a 14 month tour in Vietnam and participated in Operation Starlight.

Richard married the love of his life, Donna Jean Lippert on March 14, 1964, in San Leandro, California.  They had met as children as their parents were friends, and began dating in 1962.  They welcomed their first child, a son Leonard, in October of 1964 in San Leandro.

After Richard returned from the military, he and his wife resided in Oceanside, California until he was honorably discharged.  They then moved back to the San Leandro area, along with their son.  He joined the Operating Engineers where he worked as a dredge operator in the Alameda Bay Area.  He applied to the California Highway Patrol and was accepted and entered the CHP Academy on October 9, 1967, graduating January 31, 1968 as a State Traffic Officer.  He was assigned to the San Leandro office and while there, a daughter, Donna, joined the family.  He then transferred to the Central Los Angeles office, residing in Long Beach.  While in Long Beach, they welcomed another daughter, Carey.  He then transferred to the Westminister Office and worked there briefly before transferring to the Central Valley, working out of the Modesto and Merced CHP offices.  His final duty station was out of the Fresno Division Office, retiring on January 3, 2000.

He and his wife traveled extensively having several RV’s and a motor home and visited all 50 states as well as taking 25 cruises to places including the South Pacific, Caribbean Islands, Alaska, Panama Canal, Mexico, Hawaii, and Europe.  He was an avid reader, played chess, and enjoyed game nights with the family.  His biggest enjoyment was spending time with his family.

Richard is survived by his wife Jean, his son Leonard ( Larnele ) Hazelwood of Oceanside, California; daughter Donna (Mike) Wilson of Modesto, California; and daughter Carey Hazelwood of Conway, Arkansas.  He is also survived by his five grandchildren, Zachary Hazelwood, Kristin Hazelwood, Cooper Wilson, Brian Hazelwood, and Caden Wilson and a great grandson, Brayden Wilson.  He is preceded in death by his grandson, Kyler Wilson.

There will be a celebration of life on Saturday, October 11, 2025 at 12:00 noon, Central Catholic High School in the Mark Gallo Center, 200 S. Carpenter Modesto, California.

Donations can be made to TheKylerWilsonFoundation.org