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D A V I L A MSGT Raul Davila, USAF Ret., found final peace on Monday, October 19, 2009, at the age of 81 years, after enduring a heart-breaking fight with Alzheimer's disease. He was born on August 26, 1928 in San Antonio, TX, to Manuel Davila and Luz Maldonado Davila. From an early age, he got "busy" and participated in the family's business affairs, be it assisting his dad with his construction business or joining relatives in Michigan during the summer harvest. His early travels wet his appetite to see the world, which lead to him joining the Army Air Corps in September 1946. After basic training in Ft. Sam Houston, he was sent on a long train ride to Washington state, where he started his career as a draftsman. His 26-year career in the Air Force took him from one corner of the US to another, and then across the big ponds. In the 50's he spend many years in Great Britain, where he found his calling as a graphic illustrator as part of the 65TH Air Division support group. Then in 1960, he was assigned to Torrejon Air Force Base in Madrid, Spain, which became a turning point in this life. He quickly felt a connection with the Spanish way of life, but it was there that he met and married his wife of 47 years. In 1966 the family reassigned to Nellis AFB, Nevada to join the 4525th Fighter Weapons Wing. Housed closed to the runway, they frequently watched in awe as the Thunderbirds acrobatic unit practiced in the skies. In 1968 Raul volunteered for service in Vietnam and joined the 12th Combat Support Group in Cam Ranh Bay, where his professional talents were intensely used leading hands-on a technical team that created top-level briefing materials. This experience led to his last assignment in Washington DC as a Graphics Chief for the Defense Special Projects Group, supporting HQ command USAF briefings. He retired from the Air Force in October 1972, and relocated to Madrid, Spain, where he worked in the 1970's for AAFES and ITT, as he watched his 3 sons grow up. In the 1980's, the family relocated gradually to San Antonio, TX, which became home for years to come. He is survived by his wife Rosario, sons Richard, Tony and Dennis, along with siblings Fred, Oscar, Connie, Betty, Dolores and Manuel Jr., stepmother Julia and many other relatives and friends. SERVICES The family will receive family and friends for a visitation at the Mission Park North Funeral Home from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM, Monday, October 26, 2009 with a prayer service to begin at 7:00 PM. Funeral service will take place at 9:00 AM, Tuesday, October 27, at the same location, immediately followed by interment at 10:30 AM at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, TX. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Raul's honor to the Alzheimer's association or any other charity close to your heart.

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Raul Davila

August 26, 1928 - October 19, 2009