Richard "Richie" Phillip Gallegos, Jr

Our beloved Richard “Richie” Phillip Gallegos (33) passed away unexpectedly on October 31st, 2021. He was born September 21st, 1988, in La Junta, Colorado to Ricky P. Gallegos and Maria Hernandez. Richie resided in Questa, New Mexico where he will be laid to rest.  Richie is survived by his daughter BettyMaria “Googs” Gallegos, son’s Anastazio “Stazio” Gallegos and Romeo “Pi” Gallegos, father Ricky P. Gallegos, grandmother Mary Ida Gallegos, brother Caesar Laureano, sisters Vanessa “Sis” Gallegos, Brooke Lynne Vigil and the love of his life Bettylina “Leen” Trujillo, father-in-law Lino Trujillo, mother-in-law Betty Maes, brother in laws Martin Maes, Antonio Trujillo, sister-in-law Ayla (Juan) Cisneros and Lee Vigil.  He is survived by several aunts (MaryJo Jaramillo and Margie Hernandez were his favorites), cousins, nephews, and nieces.  Richie is preceded in death by his mother Maria Hernandez, grandfathers Jose Alcario Gallegos (Grandpa Joe), Francisco “Pancho” Hernandez, grandmother Carolina Hernandez, and uncles Humberto “Bear” Hernandez, Francisco “Cisco” Hernandez, Johnny “Bunyon” Gallegos, and Ernie Gallegos.  Richie was an infectious person who could spark a conversation up with anyone. He was very sociable and always had a smile on his face. Richie had too many best friends, and favorite cousins to count. He was just that loved. Richie had a lot of hobbies. He loved to collect hot wheels, work on his cars (his other babies), he was very artistic and could draw about anything, he was a good cook, and he was a Broncos fan since he was a little boy. Richie was a beloved father; his babies were his world and reason for living. He was always doing things with them and taking tons of pictures for memories. He was a proud father. Richie was a family man and loyal to everyone he loved. He loved coming back home to Colorado to spend time with his grandmother, which was one of his favorite things. Richie grew up traveling back and forth from La Junta, CO to his dad’s ranch in Costilla, NM. Both Nuevo and Colorado were home. Richie worked for Rio Grande Motor Sports since they opened in 2016, he started off not knowing what he was doing but grew into a manager there and helped run the shop. Everyone there was family to him. He was a natural! All the customers loved him! The whole town of Taos knew him. Richie is going to be deeply missed, but his memory will be kept alive.

Rosary will be recited on Saturday, November 13, 2021 at 9 AM and funeral mass will be at 10 AM at the St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Questa.  Interment will be held at El Pueblito Cemetery.  Pallbearers will be Caesar Laureano, Juan Cisneros Sr., Martin Trujillo, Joseph Jaramillo, Dominick Jaramillo, Gabe Hernandez, Steven Vigil, Josh Overson, Randy Rodriguez and Diego Martinez.  Honorary pallbearers will be Anastazio Gallegos, Romeo Gallegos, Juan “Boom” Cisneros Jr. and Jeremiah Hernandez.  Arrangements by Rivera Family Funeral Home.  To share a memory, please visit our website at www.riverafuneralhome.com