Funeral service for SGM (Ret.) Rafael M. Almonte, 90, will be in the Becker-Rabon Funeral Home Chapel at 11:30 a.m. on Monday, October 7, 2024.

Burial with full military honors will be in Fort Sill National Cemetery, Elgin, Oklahoma.

Rafael was born to Vela Almonte on January 17, 1934, in Santiago, Dominican Republic. He passed away on Monday, September 30, 2024, in Lawton, Oklahoma.

Rafael's life was marked by his dedication and service. He graduated high school in the Dominican Republic and then earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Texas in El Paso. His proudest achievement was his service in the United States Army, where he served with honor for thirty-six years. He bravely served tours of duty in both the Korean and Vietnam wars, a testament to his dedication and patriotism.

After getting out of the military, Rafael taught fifth-grade bilingual education in San Antonio, Texas, Katy, Texas, and Florida. During his spare time, he loved to garden, and he was an excellent cook who enjoyed sharing his talents with friends and family. One of Rafael's favorite things to do was to gather with family and friends for good food, fun, laughter, and dancing. He loved his Spanish heritage, especially the music and dancing. He was well known for cranking up his music and dancing into the room to the delight (or sometimes embarrassment) of his children. In either case, there was always much laughter, fun, and love. Rafael had so much love to share.

He sincerely enjoyed being around children and was especially partial to disadvantaged children because he wanted to help lift them up and encourage them. He had a special store in his classroom where he stocked clothing, shoes, school supplies, and snacks. Children in his classroom were encouraged to earn points or dollars with good behavior, study habits, and grades. They could shop in the stores every week. He had birthday parties for the children, knowing that their families could not afford to provide them with one. He would also provide pizza parties just because. He truly loved his children in his classroom, and they remembered him and wrote to him years after leaving his class.

Rafael was preceded in death by his wife, Geneva Almonte; his mother; a son, Lorenzo Rafael Almonte; three brothers; and one sister.

He is survived by his daughter, Sonia Teresa Quiambao and her fiancé, Rodney K. Anderson; a son, Marcos Antonio Almonte; three grandchildren, Angela Maria Almonte, Manuel Rafael Quiambao, and Micah Nalani Quiambao; and three great-grandchildren, Cohen, Irie, and Foxx.