Richard Dula died peacefully, surrounded by family, following a long illness.  He was 80. Richard attended Turlock High School, lettering in football and graduating in 1955.  He married Nadene Rowland in 1957 and they had two children, Rick Dean Dula and Jay Alan Dula. Though they eventually divorced, Richard and Nadene remained lifelong friends until her death in 2010. Richard was very proud of his military service.  He joined the Navy in the ‘50s and rose all the way to Master Chief, the highest rank possible for an enlisted man.  Richard served with the Command Reserve Patrol Wing Pacific, “The Wing”, providing technical support for the Lockheed P-3 Orion, an anti-submarine and maritime surveillance aircraft. Richard developed a great love of travel; he hopped Naval transports to many locations, his favorites being Hawaii, Peru and Spain.  He delighted in taking photographs and telling stories about his many adventures. “Have you ever eaten Peruvian Cuy?” he would begin….Upon his military retirement, Richard took up real estate; he was well known for having a soft heart and being a compassionate landlord. Richard was also an active member of the Central Valley Investors club. He participated in organizing many Turlock High School reunions, as well. Richard was preceded in death by his adoptive parents, George Dula and Mabel Railey Dula of Modesto, CA, his birth-mother Ruby Railey of South Carolina, and his son, Jay Alan Dula, of Virginia Beach, VA. He is survived by his son, Rick Dula of Denver, CO (Lotte); sister-in-law, Vella Maddix of Atwater, CA; dear family friend, Ruth DeRollo of Visalia, CA and his many devoted friends, nieces and nephews. A memorial is to be held on Sunday, January 7th, 2018 at 12:00 at Hilmar Visitor Center, Turlock, CA.