Raul "Rudy" Betancourt Sr.

Raul “Rudy” Betancourt Sr. of Saginaw, Michigan

Beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend passed away unexpectedly at his home on Saturday, February 1, 2025. He was 82 years old. Raul was born on April 22, 1942, in Edinburg, Texas to the late Juan Martin and Rosaria (Palomares) Betancourt. In the early 1950’s, Rudy and his family moved to Merrill, Michigan, where he worked in the fields providing for his family. He met the love of his life, Amelia Sanchez Perez, while attending a dance. They dated, fell in love, and were united in marriage on November 6, 1959, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Saginaw; she survives him. He was employed with General Motors at the Saginaw Malleable Iron plant as a supervisor, retiring in the 1980’s after many years of loyal and dedicated service. As a young man, the role he loved the most, was to be a loving and dedicated husband and father. He was of the Catholic faith and attended St. George Catholic Church raising his family in the tradition. Raul was a lifelong and avid hunter often finding peace and solace with nature. He was a sports fanatic, enjoyed playing baseball and softball as a young man, and later enjoyed bowling. Rudy loved every car he ever owned, always keeping it clean and well maintained by meticulously pursuing perfection in all he did. Rudy also enjoyed putting together and collecting model cars – which nobody was allowed to touch. Later in life he took pleasure in canning, cooking excellent meals, baking the best cookies, and drawing. He will forever be remembered for his love for his grandchildren, for being proud of his children joining the Marine Corps, Army, and Navy, for being articulate and unwavering in his opinions, and for truly living an amazing life filled with many beautiful memories and stories.

Surviving are his wife of 65 years, Amelia Betancourt of Montrose; three sons: Rudy Betancourt U.S.M.C. (Mandy) of Fenwick; Raul Betancourt Jr. U.S. Army (Betty) of Holland; Robert Betancourt U.S.N. (Rebecca) of Santee, SC; 11 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; seven siblings: Ramon (Maria) Betancourt; Juan Betancourt; Tony Betancourt; Tomas (Maureen) Betancourt; Dora (Robert) Casillas; Maria (Richard) Brown; Maria Gallagher; three sisters-in-law, Gumecinda Betancourt; Maria Betancourt; and Olga Fitch; and a brother-in-law, Raul (Angeline) Perez. Also surviving are countless nieces, nephews, extended family, and dear friends.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Ruby Betancourt Vann; a granddaughter, Alexxis Lionor Betancourt; parents Juan Martin and Rosaria Betancourt; siblings: Jose Angel Betancourt; Jesus Betancourt; a sister-in-law, Gloria Betancourt; a brother-in-law, Joe Gallagher.

Friends are welcome to visit with the family at the W. L. Case and Company, 4480 Mackinaw Rd., Saginaw, MI 48603, on Thursday from 12:00 p.m. (Noon) to 6:00 p.m. Raul will lie in state at the 10:00 a.m. until the time of Mass. A funeral liturgy will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, February 7, 2025, at St. Francis of Assisi Parish, St. Anthony Catholic Church, 3680 S. Washington Ave., Saginaw, MI 48601. Rev. Fr. Alberto E. Vargas will officiate. Honoring Raul’s wishes, cremation will follow the service. Please share your thoughts and memories with the family at the funeral home, church, or through www.casefuneralhome.com.