Raul L. Maldonado

Our precious, greatly loved Raul Maldonado was rocked to sleep by the Holy Spirit on January 26, 2024. He put up a valiant fight against cancer. He is preceded in death by his beloved wife Lupita Maldonado, his father Raul N Maldonado, his mother Dolores Maldonado, and his great grandson Juan Diego Sanchez.

Raul lived a life filled with the love of Jesus. Jesus was first place in his life. He never swayed in his convictions and trust in God. 

Raul retired from Pacific Fruit Express after 20 years of service. He was called twice into the ministry.  He went on to earn his Masters degree in Theology from Loma Linda University. He pastored 10 churches in California, Arizona, and Utah. He was a vessel used by the Lord to bring many people to Jesus. Raul retired from the Southeastern California Conference of Seventh Adventist in 2012. He semi-retired from full time as a pastor in 2022 and took on itinerant pastoring even after the initial cancer diagnosis. He faithfully served the Lord as a pastor for 33 years. 

He dedicated countless babies to the church, baptized new congregants, officiated marriages, and funerals always bringing a positive message as part of the services. He made sure to invite those willing to accept the gift of salvation offered by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ at every opportunity. 

Raul was a humble man who loved carpentry work, making knives, a good joke, and who loved his family. He had no problem expressing his affection for his loved ones which include his surviving family: daughters Rose Maldonado, Michele Maldonado, sons Robert Maldonado and David Maldonado. He was a proud grandfather of 5 grandchildren: Raul Sanchez, Juan Sanchez, Vennessa (Toribio) Lujan, Lauren Milano, Adam Milano and 9 great-grandchildren. He loved spending time with them all. His sisters Leonor (Chris) Shirkey, Norma (Greg) Hoots, and Lorrina Maldonado, beloved aunts, uncles, many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.