Raul Saldana Casas

Raul Saldaña Casas

Nov 26, 1950 — Jul 9, 2026

In loving memory of PASTOR Raul Saldaña Casas

Raul Saldana Casas came into this world on November 26, 1950 in Tepechitlan, Zacatecas to the late J. Jesus Saldaña and Ma. Refugio Casas. He entered into eternal rest at home on July 9, 2026. He passed peacefully, held by his family with his eyes looking towards the heavens.

Raul grew up in the small pueblo of Tepechitlan, Zacatecas and quickly took after his father and embraced the life of a crop and cattle rancher. He developed a deep love for the land and its animals, and his devotion to the family business was evident from a young age. Working alongside his father and often times alone, Raul found great joy in the work. He loved to share movie-like stories of his adventures and close calls he had during those early years. This life shaped his character and his work ethic, and his work on the ranch even helped fund his older siblings' higher education and professional pursuits. Raul was the third youngest of 10 siblings.

On March 22, 1975, Raul married Ma. del Carmen Vasquez Herrera in Mexico City. Seeking new opportunities and a fresh start, they immigrated to Southern California in 1977. Raul found his footing in landscaping, running his own business for nearly a decade. However, around 1984, he felt a profound calling to serve God, sparking a deep involvement in the church that would grow for the rest of his life. Raul had always been drawn to faith and youth ministries, growing up in a household deeply rooted in Catholicism. In fact, his older brother Luis was a priest, and his sisters Margarita, Manuelita, and Carmela were nuns. Yet from boyhood, Raul questioned certain traditions. When he was about five years old, he stayed up late on Christmas Eve to catch Baby Jesus delivering gifts. Catching his mother placing them instead, he eagerly shared the discovery with his siblings, earning himself a memorable reprimand but proving his lifelong instinct to seek the truth.

The spark for that profound calling to serve God in 1984 happened when Raul and his family began attending San Pedro y San Pablo Lutheran Church in Bell Gardens. He quickly realized that this wasn’t a Catholic church and began learning about the theological differences. After developing a deep, lifelong friendship with Rev. David M. Stirdivant, a pivotal relationship that left a profound and lasting impact on his entire family, Raul committed his life to ministry. In the early 90’s he traveled to Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri, to complete his required theological courses. His commitment was realized when he was installed as a Lay Deacon within the Pacific Southwest District of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. He ministered faithfully in Bell Gardens, Maywood, Compton, and surrounding areas until 1997, when he was installed at La Santa Cruz LCMS in Boyle Heights. There, he stepped into the pastoral role, serving as their pastor for 20 years until his retirement in 2017.

Raul’s lifelong dream of retiring to his hometown of Tepechitlan, Zacatecas, became a reality in 2019, where he happily relived those childhood memories of crops and cattle along with his wife Carmen. In 2021, he returned to the U.S. as his health began to decline, facing his illness with the same quiet strength that defined his life.

Raul lived a life defined by unwavering faith, profound devotion to his family, and a deep commitment to his calling. With his calming presence, a warm smile, generosity, and a healthy dose of "tough love," he touched countless lives, always guiding those he loved with faith-based truth.

Raul is survived by his wife, Carmen Vasquez Saldaña; his son, Raul Saldaña Jr.; and his beloved granddaughters, Emilia and Sofia Saldaña. He will be fondly remembered by many lifelong friends, comadres, compadres, ahijadas, ahijados whom he cherished as family.

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.” — 2 Timothy 4:7–8 (ESV)

In lieu of flowers, and in accordance with his final request, the family asks that donations be made to his church, St. Paul LCMS in Pomona.