Richard Elias Guajaca

Richard “Buckwheat” Guajaca, 63, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, November 28, 2017, surrounded by his family. Viewing is scheduled at Anderson Bethany Funeral Home for Sunday, December 3, 2017, from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM, follow by a Rosary at 5:00 PM. A Celebration of Life Mass will be held at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church on Monday, December 4, 2017, 10:00 AM. Interment will follow at General Douglas L. McBride Veteran’s Cemetery with full military honors. Celebrate Richard’s life by visiting www.anderson-bethany.com to offer a memory or expression of sympathy for his family. On June 4, 1954, Richard was born to Elias and Patricia Guajaca in Roswell, New Mexico. He attended Roswell Schools and grew up known as Buckwheat to all his friends and acquaintances. Richard joined the United States Navy at the age of 17, and served from July 19, 1972, until March 27, 1974. Richard was an oil and environmental driller by trade, working for several large oil companies in California and New Mexico. He belonged to St. John the Baptist Catholic Church and at one time, sang in the church choir. Richard loved his San Francisco 49’ers and enjoyed attending and watching sporting events with his sons. He never met a stranger and surrounded himself with friends for life. His humor defined him. Always the life of the party, Richard even enjoyed playing Santa for the Garcia family. Our Partner Buck, Buckwheat, Bucky Boy, Buck shared a life of laughter with each one of us, and his memory will live on forever. Those left to cherish Richard’s memory are his four sons: Nicholas Guajaca (Julia Ortega) of Roswell, Richard Guajaca Jr of Reno, Nevada, Christopher Guajaca (Josh Gemik) of Las Vegas NV, Matthew Guajaca (Vero) from Clarksville, Tennessee; brothers: Freddie Guajaca of Sacramento California, Anthony Guajaca (Yvonne Garcia) of Las Cruces; sisters: Pat Kuemmerle (Tom), Miquela Rue (Manuel Luna) of Roswell, Frances Lucero (Bob) of Greely Colorado; nine grandchildren: Hazel Ortega, Jorge Ortega, Annelise Guajaca, Hannah Guajaca, David Guajaca, Joshua Guajaca, Elias Guajaca, Ian Guajaca, Eva Guajaca; two great-grandchildren: Brian Durham, Avram Garcia. Richard is also survived by the mother of his children, Jody Gutierrez; godparents: Ben and Edna Lara; several nieces; nephews; aunts; uncles; cousins; and special friends: Rita Garcia and the Garcia family. Preceding Richard in death are his mother, Patricia H. Guajaca; father, Elias Guajaca; sister, Lydia Guajaca; granddaughter, Ariah Guajaca. Honorary pallbearers: Izaak Guajaca, Johnny Peralta, Joshua Guajaca, David Garcia, Kiki Gutierrez, and Bobby Tegeda. Pallbearers will be: Jeremy Ramirez, Jonathan Ramirez, Vincent Guajaca, Randy Torrez, Izaiah Guajaca, George Ortega, Gabriel Lucero, and David Guajaca. This tribute was lovingly written in honor of Richard by his family. When I’m Gone When I come to the end of my journey, and I travel my last weary mile, Just forget if you can, that I ever frowned, and remember only the smile. Forget unkind words I have spoken; Remember some good I have done, Forget that I ever had heartache, and remember I’ve had loads of fun. Forget that I’ve stumbled and blundered, and sometimes fell by the way. Remember I have fought some hard battles, and won, ere the close of the day. Then forget to grieve for my going, I would not have you sad for a day.

Richard Elias Guajaca

June 4, 1954 - November 28, 2017