Richard Landrum

Dick Landrum passed away peacefully at his home in the early morning hours of December 2, 2019.  He was born on January 6, 1943 to Melvin Landrum and Jewel Martin Landrum in Santa Rita, NM.  He was raised in Bayard and Santa Clara.  He began working for Phelps Dodge in 1972.  Dick worked as a journeyman welder/boilermaker in Tyrone and Santa Rita until he retired after 30 years of service.  At that time, Dick began operating his son’s wrecker service, Circle H Towing, until his final retirement in 2018 after 15 years.  He was one of the founding members of the Grant County Search and Rescue Team, where he served as President of the Team and finally Area Commander for the Southwest area for the State of New Mexico.  He was an active member for 25 years, and upon leaving the Search and Rescue Team, he was awarded a  lifetime membership.  In that 25 years, Dick assisted in many searches in the Gila Wilderness, rescued hundreds of people, and assisted in the recovery of multiple deceased victims of the elements. Dick enjoyed being outdoors and rarely sat still. He was an avid history buff, loved giving and receiving a good practical joke, and enjoyed a friendly debate over a steaming cup of good coffee.

Dick is survived by his wife, Bonita Landrum, of the home; six children, Steven Landrum (Nicole) of Harrison, Arkansas; Scott Landrum (Amanda) of Reserve, NM; Lacy Landrum Casares (Phillip) of Covina, California; Bobby Free (Dana) of Tulsa, Oklahoma; Tonya Free Gillespie of Truth or Consequences, New Mexico; and Terry Free (Angie) of Pensacola, Oklahoma; 10 grandchildren:  Cassy Wiedel (Clint) of Hitchita, Oklahoma; Shania Montoya (Robert) of Elephant Butte, NM; Melinda Monk of  Cleveland, OH; Samantha Rosendahl (Aaron) of Denton, TX; Dominick Rodriquez of Lynnwood, WA; Ayasha Joblin (Matt) of Salt Lake City, UT; Dominick Munoz of Silver City, NM; Melanie Landrum and Emily Landrum of Reserve, NM; and Logan Landrum of Harrison, AR; 3 great-grandchildren, Mariah Turner, Mia Montoya, and Lucy BelleWiedel; one sister, Sharon “Bitty” Benjamin of Deming, NM; and four brothers: Bob Landrum of Avondale, AZ; Sheryl “Butch” Landrum (Margaret) of Weatherford, OK; John “Jack” Landrum (Renee) of Las Cruces, NM; and multiple nieces and nephews.  Dick was preceded in death by his father, his mother, one brother (Martin Gibbs), and one great-grandchild (Mya Turner).

Cremation has taken place, entrusted to Baca’s Funeral Chapels.  At the request of the deceased, there will be no services.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Dick Landrum’s name to the High Desert Humane Society, 3050 S. Cougar Way in Silver City New Mexico 88061.  http://www.highdeserthumane.org/575-538-9261

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