Richard Frank Ochoa

Richard Ochoa, tamale-maker of renown, accomplished football star, gardener extraordinaire, and beloved husband, father, grandfather passed on from this life on March 24, 2022.

While his latter years were spent puttering around in his garden with his many fruit trees, his early years were spent playing football for the Texas Longhorns. Born in Laredo on May 10, 1931, the youngest of 8 boys, Richard was granted a football scholarship to Northeast University in Louisiana before transferring to UT Austin. In his Sophomore and Senior years, he played starting fullback in the Cotton Bowl against Tennessee, where he was named the MVP. After graduating, he served for two years in the Air Force as an officer, after which he was drafted into the New York Giants. He instead chose to play for the Edmonton Eskimos in Canada.

His football awards were many including the Latin American International Hall of Fame in Laredo, the El Paso Athletic Hall of Fame, the National Hispanic Hall of Fame, and his most prized – the Texas Longhorn Hall of Honor. But Richard was not just a great football player, he was a man who never told his wife Marilyn “no” – not in 68 years. He won the immediate approval of Daddy Hamp, Marilyn’s father, who never approved of any other boy before, and the pair married in 1953. It’s easy to understand because Richard was attentive, generous with praise, trustworthy, kind, giving, and added humor to life – and Marilyn loved to laugh. They had two children, Elizabeth and Rich Jr., and spent most of their 68 years of marriage in El Paso. He was also proud of his 30 years working for Roche Pharmaceuticals as a Rep.

Richard was a kind and jovial man who was famous for his tamale parties. Papa, as his granddaughter called him, could always be counted on to give explanations as to exactly what made the perfect tamale. Our Great Tamale Maker was the brightest spot in our lives, always willing to share a story around the dinner table about growing up as one of the 8 boys.

He is survived by his wife, Marilyn, Beth Ann, daughter, Audrey, Grandgirl, Will, great-grandson, and Ken, grandson-in-law.

He will join his beloved folks, and 7 brothers: Luis, Albert, Fred, Edward, Peter, Rod, and Art.

In lieu of flowers, a contribution in his name to the Assistance League of El Paso at 2728 Yandell Drive would be appreciated. Hook Em Horns!