Richard Ramon 'Rick Ricky' Gonzales
February 10, 1952 — August 3, 2021
Richard R., (Rick, Ricky) Gonzales, 69, long-time resident of Las Cruces, passed away at his home on Tuesday, August 3, 2021. Richard was born on February 10, 1952, in Los Angeles, California to Elias Luchini Gonzales and Isabel Costales Gonzales. Richard was a 1970 graduate of Las Cruces High School and a 1982 graduate of New Mexico State University. He was a long-time Substitute T...
Richard R., (Rick, Ricky) Gonzales, 69, long-time resident of Las Cruces, passed away at his home on Tuesday, August 3, 2021. Richard was born on February 10, 1952, in Los Angeles, California to Elias Luchini Gonzales and Isabel Costales Gonzales. Richard was a 1970 graduate of Las Cruces High School and a 1982 graduate of New Mexico State University. He was a long-time Substitute Teacher for the Las Cruces Public Schools. He was beloved by many students and teachers and he was affectionately known as "Mr. G." Richard was an avid reader and coin collector. He was a serious history buff, reading many books on the Civil war, the Roman Empire, New Mexico history and Archaeology. His favorite television show was Jeopardy, and he never missed an episode. Richard was a huge football fan, a true-blue fan of the Dallas Cowboys. He was also a food lover (Red Enchiladas every Friday). Richard loved to reminisce and talk about the family history. Some of his fondest memories were time spent on the family farm in Derry, New Mexico. Richard was also a talented musician, having taught himself to play the acoustic and electric guitar at the age of 16. He played trombone in the Las Cruces High School band and loved to dabble with playing instruments such as the drums, piano, and violin. Richard is survived by one brother, Philip M. Gonzales of Phoenix, Arizona; one sister, Norma G. Avalos and husband Michael G. Avalos of Las Cruces; two nephews, Lt. Colonel Michael Thomas Aval...
Richard R., (Rick, Ricky) Gonzales, 69, long-time resident of Las Cruces, passed away at his home on Tuesday, August 3, 2021. Richard was born on February 10, 1952, in Los Angeles, California to Elias Luchini Gonzales and Isabel Costales Gonzales. Richard was a 1970 graduate of Las Cruces High School and a 1982 graduate of New Mexico State University. He was a long-time Substitute Teacher for the Las Cruces Public Schools. He was beloved by many students and teachers and he was affectionately known as "Mr. G." Richard was an avid reader and coin collector. He was a serious history buff, reading many books on the Civil war, the Roman Empire, New Mexico history and Archaeology. His favorite television show was Jeopardy, and he never missed an episode. Richard was a huge football fan, a true-blue fan of the Dallas Cowboys. He was also a food lover (Red Enchiladas every Friday). Richard loved to reminisce and talk about the family history. Some of his fondest memories were time spent on the family farm in Derry, New Mexico. Richard was also a talented musician, having taught himself to play the acoustic and electric guitar at the age of 16. He played trombone in the Las Cruces High School band and loved to dabble with playing instruments such as the drums, piano, and violin. Richard is survived by one brother, Philip M. Gonzales of Phoenix, Arizona; one sister, Norma G. Avalos and husband Michael G. Avalos of Las Cruces; two nephews, Lt. Colonel Michael Thomas Avalos and wife Maria of Wichita Falls, Texas and Steven Eric Avalos of Las Cruces; two great nieces, Sophia Grace and Gabriella Hope Avalos of Wichita Falls, Texas; three aunts, Celia Bencomo, Malala Gonzales and Mary Apodaca of Las Cruces; and one uncle Eloy Martinez of Las Cruces. He is also survived by numerous cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. The family would like to thank following for their care and support over the years: Doctors and staff at Memorial Medical Center, Mountain View Hospital, Fresenius Kidney Care of Las Cruces, Arteries and Veins- Las Cruces, Welbrook Transitional Rehabilitation, Rehabilitation Hospital of Southern New Mexico, Dr. Imran Raza, Dr Michael Keller, Rio Transportation, and Ambercare. A huge debt of gratitude goes to Richard's Caregiver Juan Hernandez, family friends David Placencio and wife Genoveva, Hector Sanchez, the Miranda family, and the entire Avalos Family. At Richard's request, cremation has taken place and no funeral or memorial services are planned. The family asks in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the American Diabetes Association and/ or the National Kidney Foundation in Richard's name. Arrangements by Getz Funeral Home, 1410 E. Bowman Ave. Las Cruces, NM 88001. Please visit www.getzcares.com to sign the local online guest book
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