Richard Ybarra was born June 22, 1949, in Silver City, NM, where he was known to cause a little mischief from time to time.
He had a bit of a gypsy soul and traveled the world while serving proudly in the United States Navy as an FTM3. He was stationed on the USS Preble and fought bravely alongside his brothers in arms during the Vietnam War.
After returning home from the service, Richard met the love of his life, Theresa, and they began to make their mark on the world. Richard loved Theresa so deeply that he made one of her many dreams come true by sending her to Germany to see her grandparents, Willi and Lina Knebel.
They had three children, MarLina, Richard, and Michael. In each of his children, Richard left a piece of his golden heart, strength, and gypsy soul.
He cared about others so much that he became a police officer. He began his career in law enforcement in Bayard Police Department and Grant County Sheriff’s Office. Richard continued his service with the Dona Ana County Sheriff’s Office (DASO), serving 20 years. Richard came into the department as a Field Deputy and quickly rose through the ranks as a Criminal Investigator, Sergeant, Lieutenant, and retired as a Captain. Richard was instrumental in the creation of many Specialty Units within the department as well. He was a Field Training Officer, Hovercraft Commander, Instrumental in the first Traffic Unit formation, was the first officer from DASO to graduate from the FBI academy in 1989, created the SRT Team, Instrumental in the creation of the first DASO SWAT unit, served on a detail to the U.S. Customs tasks force as a DASO Representative, and would visit local schools as a School Resource Officer. Richard left a lasting impression on the officers he served with and mentored the next generation of sheriff’s officers.
Richard had a way of touching the hearts of everyone he met. He welcomed everyone with open arms, and if you were lucky enough to be loved by him, he made sure you knew it. He had a golden heart, but that golden heart had a mischievous jokester side to it also. Richard loved to laugh. Whether telling a joke, or telling a tall tale, or embarrassing you down the aisles of a store yelling out, “Beverly!”
He was a lover of the outdoors. Richard loved to go camping with his family and fishing with "The Guys," Tommy Robertson, Albert Henderson, and Mathew Mews, at Big Lake, “What Happens at Big Lake stays at Big Lake!” He also enjoyed hunting with his family and Gilbert and Karen Torres’s family. The two families spent many a season setting up camp at Bill Evans Lake, hunting, fishing, and enjoying each other’s company, with food and laughter around the campfire.
Richard loved to be surrounded by his family and friends. Some of Richard's best memories are the summers he spent with his Aunt Clara and Uncle Roy, running wild and learning there is more to this great big world than the little town he grew up in. And no reminiscing was complete if there was no story about the many shenanigans, he and his cousins Tommy Robertson and Randy Edwards would get themselves into. Richard loved his grandchildren and cherished every moment he got to spend with them hearing their laughter. He valued the after-chemo therapy food made by Mrs. Olga Dominguez and the conversations with Mr. Elias Dominguez, special family friends. He also cherished his longtime friendship with Ben Archuleta, or as his phone loved to say, "Ben Jamin," and put a smile on his face each time he heard it.
Anyone who knew Richard would tell you that he had a good life and loved his family and anyone he considered family. Richard had a life well lived with no regrets. Richard is survived by his wife of 46 years, Theresa I. Ybarra; three children, MarLina L. Mews and her husband Jorg Mews, Richard Y. Ybarra Jr., and Michael K. Ybarra and his wife Erica Ybarra; ten grandchildren, Lilyana, Jimmy, Mathew, Anasofia, Bella, Emma, Richard James, Nevaeha, Michael Oliver, and Clara June; two sisters, Patsy Madrid and Jean Esqueda; sister in-law Susan Ybarra, and many other family members and loved ones.
Richard is preceded in death by his parents Ynez and Margaret Ybarra, his brother Jimmy Ybarra, in-laws Alfredo L. and Lucie K. Sierra, and his four precious angels who he can now hold in his arms.
A special thank you to the staff at William Beaumont Army Medical Center for their care and kindness during Richard’s final days.
Captain Richard Ybarra Sr. Retired, call number 704, your watch here on earth has ended, and we now look to you in heaven as our protector, our Guardian Angel.
Visitation will be Friday, October 22 from 5-6pm at Terrazas Funeral Chapels with the holy rosary being recited by Dr. Gilbert Arizaga to commence at 6pm. On Saturday, October 23 the Funeral mass will be celebrated at 10am at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church with Father Bartholomew Ezenwelem officiating. Pallbearers are Marlina Mews, Jorg Mews, Matthew Mews, Richard Y. Ybarra Jr., Michael K. Ybarra, Jimmy Casteel, Albert Torres, Ben Archuleta, and Tommy Robertson. Honorary pallbearers are Albert Henderson, Dale Lawrence, DASO Crew, Dusty Starner, Ed Ferlong, Eddie Bilodeau, Gilbert Ray Torres, Greg Rocha, James Casteel, Manny Marquez, Robert and Yoli Quintanar, Ruth Offutt, Sonny Torres, Timmy Edward, Vet Center Warrior Group, and Willie Sierra Jr.
Cremation will take place at Terrazas Crematory. Arrangements are with Terrazas Funeral Chapels and Crematory “Trusted care for the ones you love” ~ 575-537-0777. To send condolences, visit www.terrazasfuneralchapel.com.