Raul B. Luna
Raul B. Luna was born in Crystal City, Texas, on October 28, 1934. He was the eldest son of Manuel and Julia Barragan Luna. After moving to Michigan, Raul began his working career at the Grand Ledge Clay Factory and then worked at Oldsmobile for 32 years as a paint repairman. He was a proud member of UAW Local 652.
Raul had a great work ethic and taught his family the value of work, even taking them to work in the fields around Charlotte on their summer vacation. He was also a great carpenter who took care of numerous apartments he owned in Charlotte.
Raul was a winter Texan, spending the winter in San Benito and his summers at his Chippewa Lake home in Michigan. While at his home in Chippewa Lake, he loved fishing on his pontoon. He was born with a guitar in his hands and especially loved playing Mexican music. He played statewide in bands with friends and family over the years and at his church, where he was a deacon, and also enjoyed playing on weekends with his cousins and friends. He enjoyed playing baseball and hunting in his younger years and was an avid Detroit Tigers fan. And enjoyed his cowboy movies. His grandchildren cherished every moment they got to spend with grandpa, or “great papa.” He will forever be remembered as a man with a great sense of humor and he will always be loved and missed by his family and friends.
Raul went to be with the Lord at the age of 87. Raul, of San Benito, Texas, passed away at his home on January 26, 2022. He is survived by his wife, Mercedes Cruz Luna; his five children and their spouses, Virginia (Randy) Day, Arthur (Lou Anne) Luna, Linda (Dean) Bongiovanni, Julia (Paul) Tucker, Teresa Luna, and son-in-law, Don Andrews; grandchildren, Donald Lee Andrews, Jeremy Andrews, Jennie Reichert, Arthur Luna Jr., Michael Luna, Christina Koetsier, Eric Luna, Elijah Luna, Aundrea Bongiovanni, Joshua Lambka, and Chantel Jones; 24 great-grandchildren; and nine great-great-grandchildren; brother Manuel (Benigna) Luna, Mario (Irma) Luna; and sisters, Maria Rice, Yolanda Zavala, and Modesta (Wes) Whitworth. Raul was predeceased by his parents; daughter, Natalia Andrews; great-grandson Austin Reichert; brothers, Refugio and Roberto Luna; sister Dolores Zagun; and second wife Estela.
Funeral services are Friday, February 4, 2022 at noon at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte with Pastor Charles Jenson officiating. Visitation will be held on Thursday, February 3, 2022 from 4-7:00 PM and Friday, February 4, 2022 from 11:00 AM – noon. The funeral will be webcast so you may watch it from any computer, smartphone, or mobile device that has internet access. Go to www.prayfuneral.com, click on Raul’s tribute, then click on Photos and Videos from your computer (or Media from your smart phone). Family and friends are encouraged to share remembrances and condolences online in Raul’s Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte, MI.