Obituary of Richard Lawrence Balducci

Richard Lawrence Balducci Jr.Born in San Antonio, TX on June 18, 1997Went home to the Lord on Monday, November 4, 2019Family knew him as RJ, but friends and coworkers called him Richie.He was full of life and loved the finer things life had to offer. He loved wearing colorful shirts, various bath products, and scented candles. He loved food and drink, but nothing ordinary; only the finest. Cooking and the culinary arts started to become his passion from a young age. He got his first paying job cooking at the Waffle House and learned his way around a professional kitchen. In a very short time, he was better than the best. He quickly moved on to cook at many fine establishments like Tru Fire Kitchen, Palios, Kirby’s Steakhouse, ChopHouse, and Shell Shack. Being full of life attracted so many people. He seemed to know EVERYONE. If you met him, you immediately liked him due to his charm and charisma. He had plans to enter Culinary Arts school and eventually own his own restaurant to give people the level of food that he believed everyone should enjoy.He was involved in Scouting for many years. Started as a Tiger Cub Scout, received his Arrow of Light Award, crossed over into Boy Scouts where he earned the Star Rank. He loved camping, backpacking, the outdoors, and most of all, outdoor cooking.He began practicing Martial Arts at age 8. Started off at All Star Martial Arts in Houston, TX and finished at age 17 at Sanchez TaeKwonDo Institute in Fort Worth, TX by obtaining his Black Belt. This was a long journey that he was dedicated to finishing. He received his Internationally recognized Kukkiwon Black Belt from the World Tae Kwon Do Federation, South Korea. His father and brother all received their Black Belts and feel this was a great father/son accomplishment.His love for food was always second to family. He loved his Mother, Father, and Brother deeply. He was an extremely caring person that watched out for his family. He would give everything to his family.Richard is survived by his Mother, Virginia Ponce Balducci, his Father and Stepmother, Richard and Jana Balducci, his brother, Marcello Balducci, and his Grandfather, Lawrence Balducci.“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.John 14Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.2 Corinthians 5:17