Rick is survived by his mother Joyce Mae Guitierrez; his Children, Tiffany Hope Hannagan, her husband Joseph James Hannagan Sr., Alexis Melanie Eling, her husband Steve Eling, Sabra Fawne Thomas, Stepson Joshua Damon Vigil, his wife Holly Vigil; his grandchildren, Gabrielle Davina Munoz-Ross, her husband Ernesto Alonso Romo-Bustamante, Joseph James Hannagan Jr., Lucas Grant Hannagan, Gamerin Uriel Matherly, Jai Lee Matherly; his siblings Michael Ross, his wife Carol Ross, Mitchell Ross, his wife Karen Ross.
Rick is predeceased by his father Samuel Troy Ross.
Rick was born on November 7, 1957 in Colorado Springs, Colorado on the Ft. Carson Military base. His father served in the U.S. Army so he spent his youth moving from place to place. One of his favorite places being Germany. The Ross family settled down in Albuquerque, New Mexico in May of 1971 when Rick was 14 years old. He attended HIghland High school and went on to join the U.S. Navy 1976. After his time in the Navy he returned to Albuquerque and started his career as an automotive mechanic. He met and married Marlee Mary Ellen Allarie in October 1978. They welcomed his first child, daughter Tiffany Hope, born July 31, 1979.Their marriage came to an end months later. In 1980 Rick met Johna Bernadette Sommers. They welcomed Ricks second child, daughter Alexis Melanie, born May 3, 1982. They married in April of 1983 and he officially became Stepfather to Joshua Damon. Their marriage came to an end in 1987. In 1989 he met Gerrie Cloutier and they welcomed his third child, daughter Sabra Fawne born December 20,1989. They split and parted ways.
From there Rick poured himself into living his life and experiencing it fully. He spent a couple of years working as a ranch hand where he picked up some useful skills and enjoyed working with the animals. He eventually made his way back to the automotive mechanic industry. He loved his work and his coworkers. He especially enjoyed his time at Zip Lube and Jiffy Lube where he was given the nickname The Rooster which he carried with pride to the end and beyond. Rick moved to El Paso Texas around 2013 where he lived out his final days.
His joy in life was music. He loved playing his guitar and singing with family and friends. His daughter Tiffany Hope shared memories of singing with him each time they saw each other. "It was not a request to sing Wild Thing together it was almost a requirement. I will always remember how he sang it looking straight into my eyes with his baby blue eyes and how the words always went straight to my heart. It was his favorite way to tell his girls he loved them." Tiffany shared.
Rick also loved football and was a devout life long Green Bay Packers fan. He enjoyed the simple things in life; family, friends, football and an ice cold Budweiser. He loved dancing around a bonfire, sharing stories, fishing, bowling, working on cars and he loved animals. He was a hard worker who took great pride in his work, his family and his country. Rick was a lover, a son, a father, a brother, and a dear friend to many. He had a huge heart and met very few people he wasn't willing to fit into it.
When I asked his mother Joyce what she would want me to share about him she said "His intelligence. He was so smart he got A's even when he didn't turn his assignments in."
As I reflect on my time with my father one memory sticks out stronger then the rest. I was probably around 8 or 9 years old. I remember I was having a rough time knowing our visit would be short. He took me in the kitchen and taught me how to two step. I can still remember how it felt standing on his feet and dancing around the kitchen to Garth Brooks "The Dance".
"And now I'm glad I didn't know
The way it all would end
The way it all would go
Our lives are better left to chance
I could have missed the pain
But I'd have to miss the dance."
-Garth Brook, The Dance
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.crestviewfuneralhome.com for the Ross family.
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