It is with deep sorrow and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Richard Bulger on May 21, 2023. Born in 1939 in Wickenburg, AZ, to Stephenson Bulger and Ann Johnston, Richard lived a remarkable life, touching the hearts of many with his kindness, wit, and generosity.

In his early life, Richard moved around quite a bit, including a period living in Greece that he remembered fondly. He had wild stories from that time, including one where he was "rewarded" after saving a young girl from drowning in the ocean with a plate of goat eyeballs prepared especially in his honor. (While impressed, he was NOT excited about this particular gift.) Richard's career was extensive and varied, from owning a donut shop to many years managing Zody's department store. He was most well known for his thirty-plus years working as a Realtor. He was a proud member of the Madera Association of Realtors for decades. He continued to work right into his eighties, driven by his passion for real estate and unwavering work ethic.  

Volunteer work and community service were paramount to him. "King Richard" was a member of the Madera Breakfast Lions for over 20 years, serving terms as Club President and many years as the Club Secretary. He was awarded the prestigious Lion of the Year award multiple times. His fellow Lions described him as "an indefatigable doer." He was known for his stellar organizational skills and for having a recipe for everything and every occasion.  The annual Pheasant Hunt for the Handicapped was one of his favorite projects.  When he moved to Lathrop in 2017, he joined the Tracy Breakfast Lions and immediately jumped in with his usual enthusiasm and remained an active member until he moved to Fresno in 2021. 

Richard had an array of interests and talents, including fishing and golfing. He had a passion for airplanes and flying and held his pilot's license for many years. He was an accomplished oil painter, winning several first-place ribbons for his art at the Madera District Fair. He had a joke for every occasion, many of them off-color but hilarious, and enjoyed giving people what he liked to call "a ration of shit" (a good-hearted ribbing).

Richard was preceded in death by his parents and son Steven Bulger. He is survived by his sister Meredith and half-sister Leslie, his children Eric, Katilin, and Ronda, and his grandchildren Judah, Hayden, Grace, Charlie, Lilly, and Stephenson. He also leaves behind his beloved one-eyed cat Ceefsee. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you consider a donation in Richard's name to the Madera Breakfast Lions at P.O. Box 1198, Madera, CA 93639-1198

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