Obituary of Richard Dale Halford

Richard Dale “Dick” Halford was born to Charles Aubrey Halford and Jettie Mae (Maddox) Halford on September 4, 1935 in Sayre, Oklahoma. He was one of three sons including Charles W. Halford and Aubrey L. “Bud” Halford.  At the age of three he moved to California with his family and remained here until his passing. He lived in and around the Tracy area for 84 years.  He was very active in his community and a well known local businessman. Richard worked for Sasser Tractor in his younger years where he was a mechanic and salesman. Later he opened Engine Sales and Service Company/ESSCO Corp, where he sold and serviced farm machinery for local farmers. After selling the company, he purchased and operated Johnnies’s Liquor Store with his wife, Mary, until about 1989. In his twilight years Richard did not stop. He worked at Central School as a custodian until he retired in his late sixties.  Richard was also active in local organizations and donated generously to charities and nonprofit causes. He was a member of the Local Elks Lodge, the Royal Order of the Moose, the Tracy High Civic Athletic Club, and the Pop Warner “Tracy Raiders” football league. More importantly he was a devoted father and husband. He is survived by his wife Mary (Carder) Halford of Lodi, CA and his six children: Kathleen Moran of Lodi, CA, Irene Paul of Rancho Cordova, CA, Donna Abarca of Lodi, CA, Karen Coelho of Walnut Creek, CA, David Halford of Grosse Isle, MI, and Larry Halford of Carlin, NV. He is also survived by his brother, Aubrey L. “Bud” Halford of Manteca, CA and numerous nieces, nephews, grandchildren, great grandchildren and great, great grandchildren. He was the rock of this family and a pillar of the community.  He passed away peacefully on December 16, 2022.  He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. A pending graveside service at the Tracy Public Cemetery will be posted in the Tracy Press later in January.

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